January Pastoral Letter: Star Words
Dear Friends,
On Epiphany Sunday, we are reminded of the Star that led the magi to God’s greatest gift to the world–the Word of God made flesh in Jesus the Christ child. All these years later, still the gift of God’s love comes to us in many different forms. Even after the gifts of Christmas have been opened and put away, the gift of Epiphany shines on through the new year. On Epiphany Sunday (Jan. 2), we made available “Star Words.” Hopefully, you picked one up, but if not they are still available in the narthex (or we can mail one to you).
Think of the word on your star as your special gift from God. You are invited to journey with this word throughout the new year to wonder what it might have to say to you. You might begin by looking up the word in the dictionary to better understand its meaning. Then check a concordance to see if the word is in the Bible and what it says to you.
Throughout the year, you might pay attention to where the word appears in your daily life. Ask yourself questions like:
What might God be trying to tell me through this word?
Is there a deeper meaning that I might have missed?
How might this word reveal something about myself or God?
Is this Star Word leading me somewhere new? Where? Am I willing to follow?
My Star Word for the year is: Strength
The dictionary defines it as: “the quality or state of being physically strong; the ability to resist being moved or broken by a force: the quality that allows someone to deal with problems in a determined and effective way.”
It occurs many times in the Bible. Two passages spoke to me:
“Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged, for the LORD your God will be with you wherever you go.” (Joshua 1:9)
“Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind and with all your strength.” (Mark 12:30)
I am praying that when I might forget, the light of my star will remind me to “be strong and courageous” and to “love God with all my strength.”
What is your Star Word? Take some time each day to meditate or pray with your word. You might write down some reflections in a journal or share some insights with a friend. Whatever you do, I pray that you are open to how your journey following a Star Word might be filled with unexpected blessings.
The Epiphany story in the Gospel of Matthew ends in this way: “And having been warned in a dream not to return to Herod, they left for their own country by another road” (Matthew 2:12). I wonder what “another road” you will travel in 2022? I came upon a powerful poem called Blessing of the Magi by Jan Richardson. It ends like this:
But we tell you,
you will wonder
at how the light you thought
you had left behind
goes with you,
spilling from
your empty hands,
shimmering beneath
your homeward feet,
illuminating the road
with every step
you take.
Hopefully, this year will be lighter and brighter than last. May your Star Word help you travel whatever road is before you. And may Jesus, the Light of the World–the light no darkness can overcome–illuminate your way and inspire your will to take the next step, trusting that we make the road by walking. One day, one step, one breath, one prayer at a time. May it be so.
New Year Blessings,
Pastor Donna