The Setting Sun

Have you ever noticed the difference between the rising sun and the setting sun? What I notice is a difference in light. Looking at the rising sun, the light is bright. It is full of life as it gently wakes the resting world. It comes in gradually until we can see everything that its light touches casting out the darkness of the night. It brings a newness to the day. It's a fresh start with a bright future.

But as the sun is ready to rest from the day, it gives us a measure of it's beauty and power. It shows us the trails left behind in the sky and clouds. It seems like it is giving us a reminder of its strength and gentleness. We wish the sky could stay like that forever, but we all know that the sun must go away. The colors will fade away, and the darkness will once again cover the earth. However, the true beauty is that we all know that it will come again. The sun will rise and bring its light again.

As a child is born into this world, a newness of light is brought with it. There is a bright future for the infant as it comes with a fresh start. However, we all know that one day it will have to set. It will have to leave. As it leaves we can see the legacy they left behind. The trails of colors left in the sky and the clouds are reminders of how important they are to us in our life. We wish they could stay longer, but they have to set. Their presence will be missed and it seems like darkness creeps in and overtakes our entire world. However, just as the sun sets and rises again, so will our loved ones set and rise again. A fresh start will be given to them and we can one day embrace their light again.

Jesus Christ's life is a perfect example of the setting sun. The sunset of His Atonement gave us a beautiful display of selflessness, love and sacrifice. He paid the price to save us from our sins and death. Just as the sun rises every morning, the Savior did too rise again. His Resurrection is a promise to all who have ever lived on the earth that ALL will rise again. A fresh start. A new life. A new light. The darkness will be temporary. The sorrow will soon be gone, and the light will be seen and its warmth felt again.