Epiphany January 5, 2021

The Holiday, Epiphany, is celebrated between the 12 days after Christmas. January 6th is the celebration of the Magi’s visit to the Christ child. They used a star for a guide to find the king of the Jews.

This year we are being treated to a rare astrological occurrence. The planets Jupiter and Saturn are in the south western sky and will appear as one brilliant star. The planets have not been so close for 800 years. The last time the planets were close to the earth to see the rings of Saturn and 4 of Jupiter’s moons was in the 1600’s.

The celestial display started on the winter solstice and will continue to be seen through Epiphany . The alignment of the planets is seen in the south western sky for 2 hours after sunset. The planets reflect a brilliant light, people call this sight the Christmas star.

I can not see this star but I can imagine people in the time of Christ noting the light in the western sky and predicting the birth of a great king.

After the year 2020, I can take joy and hope in a star that may have been seen and followed by the Magi. Whether we physically see the star or use our imagination , the light heralds a change. The change could be political. We are changing leaders. The change could be the vaccine and the final defeat of the corona virus. Maybe it signals a change in our attitude about global warming.

I prefer that it is a call for people to not take our world and ourselves for granted . As we make our resolutions, let us change our attitude and our relationship with our world and each other. Be kind to others and yourself. Global change can occur. One person at a time.

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What adorns my Christmas Tree?

a bisque doll

a teddy bear

a red apple

french horn pair

a jeweled candy cane

a striped sock

and two bells

a small toy block

lites and memories hang

on the tree

they’re put away

for next year

to surprise me.

Carol Farnsworth

carolfarn@aol.com

copyright 12/29/2020