Dearly Beloved,
Grace and Peace to you.
“Where is the child who has been born king of the Judeans?
For we observed his star at its rising, and have come to pay him homage.”
—Matthew 2.2
“The one who is more powerful than I is coming after me.”
—Mark 1.7
Merry Christmas. Today is the 12th day of Christmas. The holiday feels like it’s long gone, but the Incarnation is not over. The Present One is still with us. We may pack the decorations away, but the Beloved will not leave us. As we leave behind the holiday, the holy days, and move on into “Ordinary Time,” the temptation is to forget the Christmas good news that all ordinary time is holy, that God is present in ordinary places, that ordinary people are Beloved. Even as we enter the season of Epiphany the temptation is to lose sight of the star that guides us. The temptation is to be kings who are too comfortable to leave the familiar, too invested in being right to bow to another wisdom. The temptation is to forget that the purpose of the star is to lead us somewhere, not just to guide us to the manger, but to guide us out of the holidays and into the world.
John the Baptist and the magi had purpose and direction, not because they were self-directed, but because they were wiling to be led. They oriented their lives to the light of one who was greater than they. They had no illusions they they were in control of their lives. They had turned them over to a higher power, a greater love.
Enter the new year with purpose, with obedience to a love that is greater than you, and no matter what unfamiliar territory it leads you through, you will not lose your way. Stay mindful of the Presence that accompanies you even in the long haul of the ordinary times, and all of your days will be holy days. Never mind the pretty lights. Keep the eyes of your heart on the star of God, the light of grace. And don’t just ooh and aah. Follow.
Deep Blessings,
Pastor Steve
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Copyright © Steve Garnaas-Holmes
Unfolding Light
www.unfoldinglight.net