Though darkness covers the earth,
and thick clouds, the peoples,
Upon you the LORD will dawn,
and over you his glory will be seen. Isaiah 60:2
Today I will not let the darkness of the pandemic, political posturing, and social tumult cover me. I will shine the glory of God’s love and compassion and comfort in my home, workplace, and community to help dissipate the clouds of fear, unrest, and discord that trouble our world.
JESUS MAFA. The Three Wise Men, from Art in the Christian Tradition, a project of the Vanderbilt Divinity Library, Nashville, TN.
The star of the Christ leads me by the light of love, hope, compassion, and peace to reveal God’s goodness in me, my neighbor, and the world.
Other stars in our world attract me with the promise of riches, power, ease, and fame.
And then there are the dark stars that seduce me into depression, despair, and discontent.
I must choose with the wisdom of the magi the star I will follow.
And behold, the star that they had seen at its rising preceded them, until it came and stopped over the place where the child was. Matthew 2:9b
And behold, the star that they had seen at its rising preceded them, until it came and stopped over the place where the child was. Matthew 2:9b
Those who have made the trek, followed the star, and encountered the Christ teach me that the power and light of love can never be fully obscured. May their example renew my faith when it is clouded by pain, depression, or grief, and rekindle my hope when it is diminished by disappointment, disillusionment, or discouragement.
JESUS MAFA. Visit of the Three Wise Men, from Art in the Christian Tradition, a project of the Vanderbilt Divinity Library, Nashville, TN. [retrieved January 8, 2017]
Go gently, intentionally in the presence of God.
On entering the house [the magi] saw the child with Mary his mother. They prostrated themselves and did him homage. Matthew 2:11
John Flaxman (1755-1826)
The Adoration of the Magi
Graphite with gray wash and watercolor on medium, slightly textured, cream wove paper
Yale Center for British Art
Today I will pay homage to the Lord by honoring his call to love my neighbor and forgive my enemies, by searching for his Holy Spirit in each person I encounter, and by making good use of my gifts and talents in his service.
[The magi] prostrated themselves and did [Jesus] homage. Matthew 2:11
Basilica of Sant’Apollinare Nuovo in Ravenna, Italy: The Three Wise Men (named Balthasar, Melchior, and Gaspar). Detail from: “Mary and Child, surrounded by angels”, mosaic of a Ravennate italian-byzantine workshop, completed within 526 AD by the so-called Master of Sant’Apollinare
By Nina-no (Own work) [CC BY-SA 2.5], via Wikimedia Commons
[The magi] saw the child with Mary his mother.
They prostrated themselves and did him homage. Matthew 2:11
Mary Ann McSweeny 