I have been using an online Advent meditation, "Following the Star" http://www.followingthestar.org/.
The meditation music along with the reminder to "Be Still"
The meditation music along with the reminder to "Be Still"
in this busy season has been very helpful and inspiring.
When I was serving in the local church I usually read a story to the pre-schoolers about "Quintilius" the star. It is a cute story of small, insignificant star in the universe that is chosen to shine on that first Christmas night. Little Quintilius had to work extra hard to shine that night, so hard in fact that he burst into a million pieces. The story suggests that Quintilus still shines in each of us as we share the news of Jesus birth today. (It is one way to explain why Quintilius no longer shines. )
What was the Christmas star? Planets aligning? It is a matter of debate. Another Advent resource I have used is the Hubble Advent calendar and offers views into the mysteries of space. www.boston.com/bigpicture/2009/12/hubble_space_telescope_advent_1.html
It provides spectacular pictures of our galaxy and galaxies beyond. It shows the beauty and vastness of space. The power and majesty in those pictures suggests the first Christmas Star could have been a unique galactic event. The pictures also serve as a reminder that planet earth is not even a pin head in the millions of galaxies. Yet God chose to come to earth and dwell among us in Jesus Christ -Emmanuel. Whether that first star was little "Quintilius" , planets aligning , or a unique cosmic event, it served as a sign that God was doing something special on planet earth.
Like many of you we have a star on our tree. As you look at the star on your tree( or perhaps an angel), let it serve as a reminder that God not only did something special that first Christmas night, but God can and wants to do something special in our lives even today. That God still desires 'peace on earth to all of good will' . That God can use the least of us as well as the vast universe to share good news to the poor and release to the captive. That the promise of "Emmanuel" is still ours today.
When I was serving in the local church I usually read a story to the pre-schoolers about "Quintilius" the star. It is a cute story of small, insignificant star in the universe that is chosen to shine on that first Christmas night. Little Quintilius had to work extra hard to shine that night, so hard in fact that he burst into a million pieces. The story suggests that Quintilus still shines in each of us as we share the news of Jesus birth today. (It is one way to explain why Quintilius no longer shines. )
What was the Christmas star? Planets aligning? It is a matter of debate. Another Advent resource I have used is the Hubble Advent calendar and offers views into the mysteries of space. www.boston.com/bigpicture/2009/12/hubble_space_telescope_advent_1.html
It provides spectacular pictures of our galaxy and galaxies beyond. It shows the beauty and vastness of space. The power and majesty in those pictures suggests the first Christmas Star could have been a unique galactic event. The pictures also serve as a reminder that planet earth is not even a pin head in the millions of galaxies. Yet God chose to come to earth and dwell among us in Jesus Christ -Emmanuel. Whether that first star was little "Quintilius" , planets aligning , or a unique cosmic event, it served as a sign that God was doing something special on planet earth.
Like many of you we have a star on our tree. As you look at the star on your tree( or perhaps an angel), let it serve as a reminder that God not only did something special that first Christmas night, but God can and wants to do something special in our lives even today. That God still desires 'peace on earth to all of good will' . That God can use the least of us as well as the vast universe to share good news to the poor and release to the captive. That the promise of "Emmanuel" is still ours today.
Have a Merry Christmas and Hope Filled New Year
Hubble Advent December 23
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