It occurs to me that I used the verb "illumine" and the verb "illuminate" pretty much indiscriminately. --- What, if any, are the differences between these two verbs?

I can't be sure about this, Father Steve. But it occurs to me that something which "illumines" draws us to the light source itself.

On the other hand, something which "illuminates", casts its light, perhaps so widely and evenly that we are not immediately, or at least primarily, aware of the source of the light.

I'm really just stumbling in the dark here, Father Steve. :)

BTW your lead "Let there be light" got me to wondering if "illumine" has any special meaning in a theological sense. My search turned up the new interactive "Illumina" bible which might interest you if you haven't already checked it out:

"Mr. Laughlin is a distinguished Staley Lecturer and maintains an active touring schedule of theaters, conferences, colleges, and houses of worship. His voice can be heard as the narrator for Tyndale Publishing's Illumina, the first interactive fully animated Bible, being introduced this fall on DVD, and Good News Publishers brand new English Standard Version Bible, an audio-book also due out this year. He also provides the narration for The Scriptorium: Center for Biblical Antquities, a thematic museum that chronicles the history of the Bible, at The Holy Land Experience in Orlando, Florida."

http://www.solagroup.org/events/drama.html

Also, here is an interesting discussion which invites comparison between the word luminosity and luminescence. It also introduces the term electroluminescence.

Prelim Aside: It occurs to me that something which is "luminous" could be said to "illumine", but one would not say it "illuminates".

A fluorescent light illuminates. Something with
"luminescence", like "electroluminescence", illumines.*

Rachel's research explores electronically reactive, light emitting surfaces as a form of visual communication in built spaces. The flat light source, electroluminescence is applied to traditional interior textiles in order to create sensed environments and with the use programming and sensors surfaces can be made responsive to their surroundings, providing a visual and luminous reflection of its environment. One of the key concerns is how light can be used to relieve the problems of sufferers of seasonal affect disorder, SAD, as the absence of daylight can cause severe medical problems. Light has a profound impact on our emotional and physiological being and by integrating illumination into our everyday objects and surfaces we can enhance our lives for a sense of well being. Work is created that visually illustrate the constant dialogue that occurs between our environment and its materiality. Biomimetics and growth are key elements alongside a strong reference to a textile heritage and its possible new role.

http://fo.am/illumine/

* Aha! I think I have it. Someone with "charisma" illumines [with their presence]. [It comes from within. And it also carries the theological significance I was looking for.] They do not illuminate.

From Dictionary.com: [Greek kharisma, divine favor, from kharizesthai, to favor, from kharis, favor. See gher-2 in Indo-European Roots.]

http://dictionary.reference.com/search?q=charisma