Shining Stars

In the time of King Herod, after Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judea, wise men from the East came to Jerusalem,  asking, “Where is the child who has been born king of the Jews? For we observed his star at its rising, and have come to pay him homage.”  – Matthew 2

Arise, shine; your light has come…Nations shall come to your light, and kings to the brightness of your dawn.   – Isaiah 60

Hey 2020:  Don’t let the door hit you on the way out!

Can we all agree that 2020 was a tough year? I really don’t think anyone will be sad to see it go.  If you’re like me, your hope is that 2020’s problems will disappear with the turning of the calendar page.  And there is certainly reason for hope.  The bitter and divisive election cycle is over.  Covid-19 vaccines have been approved and we can look forward to a mitigation of the virus.  There is a good possibility that 2021 will see a return to some semblance of normal life.

Having said that, I don’t want to return to normal life.  I want something better.  And 2021 is the opportunity to have something better, to make a fresh start.  We can build off the blessings (yes there were some blessings) of 2020, blessings such as a renewed sense of community.  While it’s been sad to see the long lines of people outside of food pantries, it’s been inspiring to see how many people have sacrificed their money and time to make sure they’re fed.  And how inspiring have the health care workers been? Talk about sacrifice!   And let’s not forget about delivery drivers, grocery store clerks, police officers, fire men and women – the list goes on and on.  It seems that the worst circumstances can bring out the best in people and we are at our best when we’re helping one another.

Very simply, this is love in action.  Love overcomes fear and isolation and selfishness and helps us look beyond ourselves to the needs of others.  It’s this sense of love and connectedness and caring that I don’t want to lose.  And let’s face it, we are going to be dealing with the effects of the Covid-19 virus for years to come.  The needs of our brothers and sisters will continue to be just as acute.  We have an opportunity in 2021 and beyond to do great things as long as we love one another.

I know what you’re thinking:  Easier said than done.  And just how do we maintain love for each other?  How can we get past the political, religious and ethnic obstacles that divide us?  How can we make a fresh start? It sounds impossible.  Why don’t we begin by looking at one another as God looks at us: By seeing each person as a unique creation and worthy of our love. St. Nicholas had this kind of vision.  So did St. Patrick and in his famous prayer The Breastplate, he asked to be seen by others the same way:

Christ in the heart of every man who thinks of me,
Christ in the mouth of everyone who speaks of me,
Christ in every eye that sees me,
Christ in every ear that hears me.

Patrick knew that the love of Christ can bring us together and allow us to see the value in each and every person.  I believe that if we put the love of Christ into action there isn’t anything we can’t accomplish together.  I mean it. We can do this.  Seriously.  And when we do we will “shine like stars in the sky”. (Ephesians 2:15)

As I write this it is the fourth day of Christmas and for the most part people’s spirits are still filled with the light of the holidays.  Soon it will be New Year’s Day and then back to our routines and the holidays will be behind us. Except for one. Contrary to popular belief, the Christmas season doesn’t end on December 25^th; it lasts until the Feast of Epiphany on January 6^th.  Epiphany celebrates the arrival of the Wise Men and their journey from darkness to light.  (And no, they weren’t at the stable the night Jesus was born.)  The Wise Men followed Jesus’ star for a number of years and for many miles. In the end came illumination. The importance of Epiphany lies in the manifestation of Jesus as the Messiah to the whole world, Jew and Gentile alike.  All are loved. 

2020 was a dark year; 2021 can be filled with light.  As we return to “normal” life, I pray that our spiritual journeys will bring illumination and that we will shine as brightly as the Star of Bethlehem as we manifest the love of Christ.

May God bless you richly in the new year and keep you well.