Have You Ever Seen the Star?
The star of guidance
for the wisemen as they journeyed from the East to find Jesus;
for each pilgrim through the ages who has sought to follow God’s will;
for those who seek to fulfill God’s vision of shalom for all peoples;
for those who suffer and are torn by conflict within and without;
for you and I as we give of ourselves in service and love.
Have you ever seen this star?
The star of promise
of the coming of a shepherd, a savior as foretold by the prophets;
of God’s continued presence in the world and with each of us;
of a light shining on the ordinary of our lives giving meaning and hope;
of new life through Jesus Christ as reflected often in the smile of a child;
of peace, goodwill and well-being for all God’s children.
Have you ever seen this star?
The star of faith
in the knowledge that Jesus loves me and I am a child of God’s;
in the power of Christ’s birth, death and resurrection to bring salvation to all of creation;
in the midst of war, conflict, scandal and suffering giving the light of hope;
in God’s call to each of us to respond to Christ and participate in God’s work.
Have you ever seen this star?
The Bethlehem star still shines today.
It is a star that gives guidance to all on the journey of life.
It is a star full of God’s promises of love, peace and justice.
It is a star of faith that lights the path of each disciple.
Look carefully for the star.\
Look very carefully for the star during this season of Epiphany.
It is here as it was in Bethlehem, a symbol of the Christ shining in our world, shining in our lives!
[First published in Response, December 1994]
Joyce D. Sohl, Laywoman-in-Residence
Joyce D. Sohl has been Laywoman-in-Residence since 2009 as a full-time volunteer. She retired as CEO of United Methodist Women in 2004. She is the author of 4 books, a teacher, retreat leader, writer and non-professional musician. Here at the Center her work is in the area of Spirituality & the Arts with such programs as Tuesdays in the Chapel, Vespers & All That Jazz, Poet’s Corner, quarterly retreats, and art exhibits.