Star Words

Epiphany - January 6-  marks the end of Christmastide. The day celebrates the revelation of God incarnate as Jesus Christ. In Western Christianity it commemorates Jesus’ manifestation to the Gentiles, represented in the visit of the Magi to the Christ Child.

 

Among contemporary Protestant Epiphany traditions has been the use of Intention Words or Star Words as a spiritual practice.

 

Bethpage will introduce the practice during our Communion service on Epiphany Sunday, January 8, asking each congregant to pick a random word during the Lord’s Supper, using it as a prayer and reflection focus for the weeks and months ahead.

 

If you can not be present in worship Sunday, you still can pick a word. Chose a number between 1 and 162, and then look below to see which word is yours. Write the word down and put it where you are reminded of it throughout the days ahead.

 

As the Magi followed a star to find the new king, Jesus Christ, you may spend time reflecting on this word, allowing it to speak to you, listening to how God might be moving though it to you, how the Holy Spirit might use it to comfort, encourage and empower you through the grace of God. As part of your prayer practice you might look up the definition of the word, even if you know the word well. You might reflect on what the word reminds you of; are there memories or dreams or challenges that it evokes? Does the word call to mind for you certain scriptures. How does it call you into deeper love of God, neighbor and self?

 

A Mennonite pastor from Lawrence, Kansas, Rev. Joanna Harader, offers this prayer for us:

 

As stars have guided wise ones for centuries,
May your word guide you in the year ahead.
By the radiance of your star and the power of the Holy Spirit,
May you live with deeper intention and greater attention;
May you find the holy in delightfully unexpected places;
May you worship with joy,
Give with gratitude,
And follow the new way home that God will provide.