Then the star appeared again, the same star they had seen in the eastern skies. It led them on until it hovered over the place of the child. They could hardly contain themselves: They were in the right place! They had arrived at the right time!

Matthew 2:8-10

 This fall, I have found myself outside late in the evening and early in the morning, peering at the beautiful sky and revering the numerous stars. For some reason, their brilliancy has been magnified, and I have been more aware of God’s presence. As I gaze, I look at individual stars and I give thanks for each of you. I am reminded of the passage from Genesis when God says to Abram, “Look toward heaven and count the stars if you are able to count them. Then he said to him so shall your descendants be.” The stars remind me that we are part of one big family, a family huge, diverse, and big enough to light up the sky.

When I peer into the night sky, I also imagine the shepherds and the Maji following the star to the place where the kings of Kings and Lord of Lords lay. I love the notion that they cannot contain the joy within, for they knew they were in the right place. I am thankful that together we are on this journey, one that has brought us closer to Christ, one in which we have been able to say together we are in the right place. It has been such a joy to see each of you live into that star that God has made you to be, please know that you become even brighter as you allow Christ to radiate his beauty through you. I also love the verse from Daniel that speaks about who we are, Daniel writes “ men and women who have lived wisely and well will shine brilliantly like the cloudless star strewn night skies and those who put those on the right path will glow like stars forever. I am so thankful that we are people committed to putting people on the right path and that is clearly shown as each you radiate the love and light of Christ in all you think say and do.

 Rev. Kirsty DePree