We celebrate the coming of the Magi to find the new-born king in Bethlehem. What faith they had to follow a star! They came, or so the story goes, bearing gifts. The star led them and they found the Child and then an angel told them to go back another way. I suspect that all who find Jesus are not able to return the same way. They had come from far away and they had to put their faith in the star!
Have I enough faith to follow a star?
Here is part of a poem that I thought I recognized but this one is signed by Jeanne Houlihan, MM:
What I'd really like to give you for Christmas is a star...
Brilliance in a package, something you could keep in the pocket of your being.
Something you could take out in times of darkness
something that would never snuff out or tarnish,
something you could hold in your hand,
something for wonderment,
something for pondering,
something that would remind you of what Christmas has always meant: God's Advent Light in the darkness of this world.
But stars are only God's for giving, and I must be content to give you words and wishes and packages without stars.
But I can wish you life as radiant as the star that announced the Christ Child's coming, and as filled with awe as the shepherds who stood beneath its light.
And I can pass on to you the love that has been given to me,
ignited countless times by others who have knelt in Bethlehem's light.
Perhaps, if you ask, God will give you a star.
I suspect that I did copy this before, but I am hurrying to try to leave my blogs scheduled for the entire week I am at the retreat. Please do not forget to pray!
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