Dear PPPC –

Growing up, there was a nativity that we set out year after year…by now it looks a little worse for the wear, but it still gets set out when decorating for Christmas.

First, we’d set out the stable, and then carefully set out figure after figure—Mary, Joseph, the angel, a sheep, a shepherd, a donkey, a camel, the magi, and of course, baby Jesus. All of these figures told the Christmas story as I knew it.

I will confess I was an adult before I fully grasped that there were two birth stories for Jesus in the scriptures and that not all those nativity figures we set out were in both stories. So, as your Pastor, I’ve tried to create worship opportunities to be clear that two versions of the story exist: Luke 2:1-20 and Matthew 1:18-2:12. One of the ways we do this is by celebrating Epiphany! Epiphany is always January 6th, following the 12 days of Christmas. I know a family who even keeps the camels and the magi out of the nativity in their home until January 6th, each year! However, here at PPPC, we observe it on the closest Sunday…this year, this Sunday, January 5th.

During Epiphany worship, we celebrate, as the story goes, that these magi or wise ones followed a star to the Christ Child. Because the image of the star is so significant to their journey, somewhere along the way, I learned about this idea of offering a Star Word during Epiphany worship. Just as the magi followed a star long ago, we too can be guided by our star word for the coming year.

On your way into or out of worship this Sunday, grab a Star Word out of the baskets by the doors. I invite you to 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. These words give you something positive to reflect on, pray about, look for in the world or welcome into your life, or open a conversation with God.

For some, the word’s meaning pops up right away. For others, the meaning may evolve throughout the year. For still others, there may be no immediate significance, but over the months meaning emerges. Let the Holy Spirit work through your word…or don’t…but I hope you will open yourself to the mystery that the Holy Spirit just might work in your life in unexpected ways.

Epiphany. Epiphany of the Lord Sunday. After all, Epiphany means a manifestation of The Divine.

See you in church!

Yours for the journey,
Pastor Molly