There are several sources of scriptural inspiration for the Epiphany banner, including most centrally the wonderful and bold words from John 8:12, where Jesus says, "I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness, but will have the light of life. "

The focal point of the banner, the massive, gleaming golden cross of the Risen Christ, dominates and lights up all the earth, and all the peoples of the earth, reaching out even into the dark and swirling unknown of the cosmos. As symbolized by the large, weighty crown above the cross, Christ in His kingship has dominion over all creation, radiating light and life, order and truth, while emanating His victory over darkness and oppression throughout the universe.

In Isaiah 60:1-5, we are given an invitation to join Jesus and be a reflection of His light to others: "Arise, shine, for your Light has come, and the glory of the Lord rises upon you. See, darkness covers the earth, and thick darkness is over the peoples, but the Lord rises upon you and His glory appears over you." (v.1,2). In the painting, the people in the lower portion of the circle represent those in the darkness, but the others who look to Christ are full of light and are golden, too, like His victorious cross. They have heard the Lord's promise: "Lift up your eyes and look about you... Then you will see and be radiant." (v.5)

Other images in the painting are taken from verses in Psalm 72. At the top of the banner, behind and below the crown of Christ, there are depicted two views of the sky: the dark of the night and the first light of early dawn. These represent the scripture verse: "He will endure as long as the sun, as long as the moon through all generations." Also, the huge gold cross spans the width and height of all our world, symbolizing another part of the psalm, "He will rule from sea to sea and from the River to the ends of the earth. "" (v.8).

It is important to note that even those of us who are in the darkness, oppressed and overburdened, are bathed in the light of Christ, as represented by the golden reflections shining on the heads and shoulders of the gray figures at the bottom of the banner. They are lost in their sin, sickness and worry, with the shadows of their forms painted in deep red to symbolize their pain while they are appearing to "sweat blood" in their affliction. But they are not forsaken or forgotten by Jesus, for though they have turned away from the light of Christ's cross, they are still offered the promise of Psalm 72:12-14, if they will only accept it: "For He will deliver the needy who cry out, the afflicted who have no one to help. He will take pity... and save the needy from death. He will rescue them... for precious is their blood in His sight. "

Finally, at the very center of the huge golden cross, in all the blaze of light, there is the shining image of the star of Bethlehem, which was a beacon and a guide for the Wise Men on their search to find the Savior. That light of Christ is still and always our beacon and guide to salvation and eternal life with Jesus, the Light of the World.