February 2025
Seeing with Fresh Eyes
I went to bed carrying these heavy emotions. One morning in 2025, I woke up and looked out the window to see snow that had fallen overnight. Without thinking, I said to myself, “It’s the first snow.” The funny thing is, it had already snowed a few days earlier, and winter was well underway. Yet simply because the calendar had turned to a new year, everything around me seemed to take on fresh meaning: the first snow, the first bike ride of the year, the first worship service. Adding the word “first” to these familiar routines somehow renewed my heart and mind. It made me wonder if calendars, seasons, and holidays are humanity’s way of cultivating this sense of renewal, anchoring us as we navigate time. I've come to recognize the significance of how we view things!
I am drawn to the Greek concept that seeing can lead us to encounter the divine. This idea is linked to the Greek words θεωρία ( theoria), meaning “to see,” and τὸ θεῖον ( to theion), meaning “the divine.” (Notice the similarity between these two words!) In this view, God is not just a being who observes but is the act of seeing itself. Greek wisdom teaches that where we direct our gaze is where we find the sacred. Our perception—how we look at even the smallest, most ordinary moments—determines whether we experience God’s presence. I have come to believe that no matter the circumstances, if we look with depth, reflection, and an open heart, we will find God present.
When we ask, “Where is God?” perhaps the real question is, “Where are we looking?” In early Christianity, those who awaited Jesus’ return often fixed their gaze on the sky, as if the divine would only descend from above. But perhaps “the heavens” represent more than the physical sky—they point to a transcendence beyond what we see, know, or understand. In this sense, God exists beyond our perceptions, and we encounter the divine mystery only when we are willing to look beyond our assumptions.
This ability to see is ultimately a matter of the heart—a vision born of the soul. While we may feel blind or lost, unable to perceive God, the truth is that God is always with us, unseen yet present. I often think of the Magi encountering Jesus for the first time. I imagine the awe and wonder on their faces as they gazed upon the infant Christ. In Rembrandt’s paintings, the Christ child appears to radiate light, as though the presence of God itself shines from Him. Those who came to see the child were bathed in this light. Perhaps, in its glow, they saw not only God’s reflection but also their own, discovering the sacred within themselves. They left in awe, carrying the light of revelation in their hearts and continuing on their way.
This story, together with the arrival of a new season and year, reminds us of God's welcoming grace, guiding our church on its spiritual journey. We find God in the places where we choose to direct our gaze, and God enlightens us to see realities beyond our own perception. By thoughtfully and intentionally focusing on the most vulnerable, we uncover the sacred around us.
Warmly,
Rev. Hyunwoong Hwang