One Church
A Bicentennial Celebration of Thomas Campbell's Declaration & Address
Throughout God’s Word we are reminded of the importance and significance of light:
Jesus of Nazareth said that it is possible for our bodies to be filled with light.
The Psalmist prays to God “Your Word is a light for the pathways of my life.”
Job says that God “changes the darkness into light.”
The Apostle Paul urges the Romans to “wear armor made of light.”
The prophet Isaiah pleads with us to “walk in the light of the Lord.”
The Bible begins in Genesis with God shouting across the universe, “Let there be light.” It ends in Revelation with John seeing a day when the earth will no longer require the sun, because God will be all the light needed.
And the risen Christ says to all people “I am the Light of the World.”
To be enlightened, Webster explains, is to have knowledge and insight. It is to be illuminated … to light up. God shares his wisdom and knowledge with us and has become one with humanity through the incarnation of his Son.
We experience our oneness with God in many ways, but most poignantly in Communion. Again and again at the Lord’s Table we touch the holy and are at the same time touched by the holy. The bread and wine are set on the Table to give us a substantive taste of God’s love. We feel the presence of Christ living within our sisters and brothers, within ourselves, and know that his life and light permeate all things, including the elements representing his sacrifice.
The Chalice is filled and it is lifted toward heaven. The mercy and forgiveness of God flow into the Chalice, and into us. And then the grace of Jesus Christ overflows the rim and spills out into the whole world. This overflow of his life and presence can be seen as the bursting forth of light, as the good news of his divine favor spreads to every land.
The Chalice Filled With Light: This perfect symbol of Christ’s life and love is for all people.
We invite you to link to this page, so that this beautiful image may be shared around the world.