Image & Spirit is taking a break.

Enjoy the archives and stay connected to 
 ECVA at www.ecva.org

Epiphany

The world recognizes the heavenly in this tiny Child. And the Child recognizes the people of God in them. This is not a Christian child only; this Child belongs to the world.

Words: Joan Chittister in The Liturgical Year: the spiraling adventure of the spiritual life

Image: Chiefs Come From the East to See Jesus by John Giuliani

We're Following The Star, 6

David:

We shall not cease from exploration

And the end of all our exploring

Will be to arrive where we started

And know the place for the first time.

......
And all shall be well and
All manner of thing shall be well
When the tongues of flame are in-folded
Into the crowned knot of fire
And the fire and the rose are one.

T. S. Eliot
from The Four Quartets

Image: Table of the Magi by David Orth

Jim:

I think my epiphany is 61 years in the making ...a very very slow epiphany: The star is family ...the star is old friends (like Jesus and Mary) ...the star is new friends (like David and Robin) ...the star is love. LOVE!

Image: La Sagrada Familia - The Sacred (or Holy) Family by James Mangum

Robin:

just saying so

sometimes makes all

the difference

the star is always there

to be followed to be

watched

just saying so

reminds us

commits us

Image: Just Saying So by C. Robin Janning

Overcome By Light

Christmas—the light that shone upon a manger—was also, the ancients knew, the light that led them on beyond it as well. If God is truly with us, has been manifested among us, companions us as we go, knows our pains and our hopes, then life is not a dark forest from which there is no exit. It is a darkness, however dark, that is always overcome by light.

Words: Joan Chittister in The Liturgical Year

Image: Photograph "Afternoon River" by The Rev. Scott Fisher

We're Following The Star, 5

Christmas now. It’s not just one star, but many stars. Too many stars to count. It is a great light pulsing, beaming from every direction. Light for the Christmas that is born in every heart …in every dawn that pushes away the darkness.

David:

Jim:

Robin:

A new year arrives during these twelve days of Christmas, bearing a spark that promises enough light for all ...however and in whichever direction we travel.