Christmas 2023 Reflection
In poetry and song we’ve heard the words: “There is a time for every purpose under heaven.” Advent is a time of waiting - waiting for a true miracle of love to enter our lives – a love that burns within each of us, yet which we can barely imagine or put into words. Waiting for a birth that seemed impossible, yet it wasn’t for God; for a coming that no one expected would ever arrive, but it did; for a Peace that broke the night silence with its gentle cry; for a Joy that burst forth with the sound of singing angels; and a Hope that sent the world reeling into every next century!
This kind of Love is what fills our hearts this very evening as we welcome, again each year, this Christ into our world. But Christ only lives when we live in that same love, day in and day out with each other and all those who enter and exit our lives.
This evening, to paraphrase the old Disney song of wishing upon a star, I wish to not just wish, but to REFLECT upon a star.
Scripture tells us: “And they were led by the light of a star”. Who was led? The shepherds of course. The Sages definitely.
A single star, outstanding from the others, pointed to the event of Jesus Christ’s birth. It shone with brilliance beyond the other stars.
If you’ve ever stood outside at the darkest part of the night you know what that looks like: it is stunning! And it is something I love to do.
In recent years, with the magnification of telescopes with power beyond anything Known or seen before, we have learned much about the stars and their light.
Dr. Brian Swimme, Professor at California Institute of Integral Studies teaches evolutionary cosmology, along with religion and philosophy. He is one of the foremost evolutionists and noted star gazers – and has taught us much more about our origins from exploding stars. He has been quoted as saying: This is the greatest discovery of the scientific enterprise: you take hydrogen gas and leave it alone, and it turns into rosebushes, giraffes, and humans!”
We’ve learned that we are all the products ultimately of elements created in the core of a large star which, upon exploding produced star dust billions of years ago!! Evolution began WAY back then and continues today.
Dr. Swimme sees this as a revelation of Love. A love that was a divine gift. The star dies in its final act of generosity, and out of that generosity, the future of the universe is born. What a concept! One I could ponder for years and never fully understand.
BUT - If we are made from star dust – we too can shine like the stars with light for others; that is how we bring Christ to the world. We must be the light that shows the way and leads other to Christ. We must guide the Magi, those seeking wisdom today, a wisdom which we hold within us, from having lived we hope faithfully to Christ’s call to be love for one another.
During this time of year, when the light grew less each day, we celebrated Advent. We missed the light as it faded earlier every day.
We recognized areas of the world torn by war, or violence, or bigotry, or lack of acceptance for who they are, or poverty; where people feel enveloped by darkness of fear and sin and hopelessness. We must be the eyes of light and of hope for them – to help them know they are not abandoned by God. We ask God to let them see Hope for a different future – where a new life can shine before them.
What will God reveal to us to see anew this coming year? We don’t know that answer. But we do know this: Love is light, love shines in our hearts because Christ is there, and it is through that light of love that we will find the only way to truly see what lies before us.
Let us ever remember, we not only see Christ’s light in a star as those at the manger did, but we see it in others too. And most of all, we must also BE that star FOR others.
A Blessed Christmas to all. We are grateful for one another, and for all who join us on our life’s journey!