Christmas can be a time of year where there is quite a lot of activity and bustling and “too-much-ness,” even in the midst of a continually evolving pandemic. And yet, the iconic story of the birth of Jesus actually has a stillness and simplicity to it. The Christmas star shines in the quiet night, leading us to the hope, promise, and joy in the birth of our Savior.
Perhaps this year you might find a little time to light a candle and sit quietly and ponder the miracle of new life that God is always birthing into the world. These lovely words from Hopkins might help set the stage for your meditation:
Lead Me By The Star’s Light — Gerard Manley Hopkins 1844-89
Moonless darkness stands between.
Past, O past, no more be seen!
But the Bethlehem star may lead me
To the sight of him who freed me
From the self that I have been.
Make me pure, Lord: thou art holy;
Make me meek, Lord: thou wert lowly;
Now beginning, and always:
Now begin, on Christmas Day.
May you all have a blessed, enlivening, and joyous Christmas season!
