Dear Friends in Christ,

The season of Christmas and Christmas carols is coming to an end.  We have prayed fervently that the Spirit of Christmas might come to dwell in our hearts.  Now, as we look forward to the season of Epiphany, we begin to wonder how our lives are changed when the Spirit of the Christ child actually does come to dwell in our hearts.

Week after week, we will encounter Gospel stories of how God’s presence in our lives changes things.  It begins with the star that the wisemen follow to Bethlehem.  That star continues to shine even into our present day.  To quote (again) the TENS website:

Light for the world looks like light on linoleum floors-school corridors, clinic halls, kitchens at midnight when the shift ends. During this Christmas season, celebrate the star of Bethlehem moving, and then take its direction seriously. 

J. Davey Gerhard suggests that during this season we

celebrate the star of Bethlehem moving and then take its direction seriously.

He suggests a prayer:

Receive joy, and then pour it out. It is not our birthday; it is our sending day. May Jesus guide you by a faithful light, from comfort to compassion; from sentiment to service. As you go, may the peace of Jesus Christ guard your heart, as the love of God widens your circle of connection. And may the Holy Spirit keep you moving until every child rests in safety and every table makes room. In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and Holy Spirit     Amen

And then he adds

Breathe in the Christmas carol; breathe out with a spirit of welcome for others. Remember, you are blessed-on purpose, so you can be a blessing for others.

Amen!  Amen!