I am sure you are familiar with the melodic Christmas carol written by Gloria Shayne Baker and Noel Regney, a married couple, in 1962 entitled “Do You Hear What I Hear?” The song brilliantly blends together hearing, seeing and knowing that the child Jesus brings us “…goodness and light.”
Light in general, and certainly a very special star, plays a prominent role in the manifestation and revelation of the Incarnation of our God into human life at Christmas. This year is certainly a unique one on many fronts, but in the midst of much anxiety, tension, isolation, distancing, illness, death, economic strain, diminished work, loss of work, overwork and other things that come together to form the crisis that is 2020 – we hold fast to the belief that in Crisis, Christ is … a very bright star.
You will see this year, specifically on December 21, a day that always marks the winter solstice, Jupiter and Saturn come together and share the reflective light of the sun to make a very bright appearance that has been referred to previously as the Christmas Star. It is referred to as such because of the brightness that is formed by the converging paths of two planets in their orbit around the Sun that has not happened since 1226 and won’t repeat until 2080.
This astrological wonder is also believed to be the bright light in the constellations that signaled to the Three Kings the birth of a new and very special King. Christian conviction has used the story to tell that the coming together of cosmic objects signals not only the arrival of a King, but the greatest King, a King that kings adore, and thus give all humanity the calling to give away what we have to the mystery of an innocent child that grows to be our savior. These regal figures acknowledge the possibilities and sacredness of all life, which is a gift from God, and, through faith, becomes a gift that gives exponentially to make all life stronger, richer – even more sacred.
Jupiter and Saturn come together and give the appearance of one big star as their combined reflective light is much brighter than their individual ones.
One article that I read indicated that this celestial wonder should not be given any special significance or be interpreted as a sign from the heavens that this is a unique year. I disagree. I believe that this coming together of two planets in a multigenerational time frame is an example in its physics of what we all need right now spiritually. It is an indication of what we must do in this crisis. This year, more than ever, our paths must connect to reflect the light of our God. When we come together and reflect the light of life, we are much brighter. When we increase our care for each other, when we increase our awareness that we can fight a pandemic together by the simplest of behavior, we can limit the spread of an awful disease. If we do these things TOGETHER we can abate this disease sooner, and thus regain so many experiences that will bring us healing – economically, socially, spiritually, politically and educationally.
God’s light is meant to be shared and when we come together we can reflect that light, share that light with a world that is darker than usual this year.
I have always believed that God is revealed in the timing of human events. This revelation, this epiphany, this manifestation urges us to be brighter than usual this year.
If you are reading this any time before 5:00pm Sunday, please consider driving to our west parking lot and participating in a tree lighting ceremony from the comfort of your car as we celebrate Holy Family’s Drive-In Christmas.
Please register for Christmas Eve and Christmas Day Masses beginning December 15.
Please be aware that because of Covid we will NOT offer a Communal Reconciliation Service with Individual Confession and Absolution as we do each year. Reconciliation will be offered during Advent, as it ALWAYS is each Monday from 5-6:30, but we are adding Wednesdays between 1:00pm and 3:00pm as additional time for the Sacrament. Please register for a time in either slot.