From the Pastor's Desk
Christmas is such a beautiful season. We spend four weeks preparing for the arrival of the Christ child. In that time, we hear the stories of the prophets who foretold of this coming Messiah. We are reminded of Mary and Elizabeth's faithful courage in submitting to God's plan to bearers of men who would one day transform the world. Lest we forget the men; Joseph, Zachariah and Simeon who played their own unique roles in the salvation story.
There are many Christmas traditions and rituals that make the season special. Christmas extends for 12 days in the season we call Christmastide. This culminates with Epiphany, the day we celebrate the coming of the Magi who brought gifts to pay homage to the Christ child. I wonder how many rituals you have for Epiphany. I wish to introduce two traditions that honor Epiphany and call upon God to bless us for the coming year.
On January 5, the day before Epiphany, you will be invited to receive some chalk, a blessing and a star. Either on Twelfth Night (5 January), the twelfth day of Christmastide and eve of the feast of the Epiphany, or on Epiphany Day (6 January) itself, many write on their doors with chalk in a pattern such as "20 + C + M + B + 25". The numbers in this example refer to the calendar year 2025 and the crosses between are for Christ. The letters C, M, and B stand for the traditional names of the biblical Magi (Caspar, Melchior and Balthazar), or alternatively for the Latin blessing Christus mansionem benedicat ('May Christ bless this house').
Chalking the door is done most commonly on Epiphany Day itself. However, it can be done on any day of the Epiphany season. The Christian custom of chalking the door has a biblical precedent as the Israelites in the Old Testament marked their doors in order to be saved from death; likewise, the Epiphanytide practice serves to protect Christian homes from evil spirits until the next Epiphany Day, at which time the custom is repeated. Families also perform this act to represent the hospitality of the Holy Family to the Magi (and all Gentiles); It thus serves as a house blessing to invite the presence of God in one's home.
The other tradition I have come to love is called "Star Words." During Epiphany worship, we celebrate, as the story goes, that the magi or wise ones followed a star. Because the image of the star is so significant to their journey, many years ago, I learned about this idea of offering a Star Word. Just as the magi followed a star long ago, we too can be guided by our star word for the coming year.
How we do this may vary from year to year, but the basics remain the same. At some point in the worship service, you will be invited to randomly choose a star without knowing the word printed on the reverse side. I think of the star word selection as a metaphor to the Magi's journey of discovery. Unsure of exactly what they would find, the Magi let the spirit guide them. Similarly, I invite you to let eth Spirit nudge you towards a word, allowing a star word to choose you! In this way, I am inviting folks to receive God's gift in the form of this word that can guide, inspire, or challenge you in the coming year.
After you receive your word, I encourage you keep the star someplace special, somewhere you will see it throughout the coming year. Perhaps on the refrigerator, on the bathroom mirror, taped to the dashboard of the car, at work cubicle, or in the wallet peeking out. . .someplace seen regularly so it can serve as a guide. In this way, may you contemplate and give thanks for the many blessings that come in both extraordinary and simple forms every day.
If you are unable to join us in worship, please let me know and I will be happy to bring you some chalk and a star. Both will be available during to folks during January and you can participate in this ritual at any time during the Epiphany season (which lasts until we begin the season of Lent on Ash Wednesday). May you receive the richest blessings this season and may the star that guided the Magi to Jesus continue to guide our steps forward in the new year. Perhaps we should pick a star word for the church that will nudge us and challenge us in our sacred work together this coming year?
May it be so!
Peace,
Rev. Lynne
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