Inspired by lyrics to “Search the Sky” by Sloan Wainwright:Search the sky for that star of light and love, to guide believers from near and far.
Let the light of peace and love shine in every heart.
Let there be peace around our world, peace within ourselves.
Let Truth, love, and healing shine in all our faces.
Responsive Reading for December 17
“When Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judea, in the days of King Herod, behold, magi from the east arrived in Jerusalem, saying, ‘Where is the newborn king of the Jews? We saw his star at its rising and have come to do him homage’” (Mt. 2:1-2).
Search the sky for that star—star of light, star of love, bright enough to guide believers from afar.
“When King Herod heard this, he was greatly troubled, and all Jerusalem with him. Assembling all the chief priests and the scribes of the people, he inquired of them where the Messiah was to be born. They said to him, ‘In Bethlehem . . . shall come a ruler, who is to shepherd my people Israel’” (Mt. 2:3-4).
Let the light of peace and love shine in every heart.
“Then Herod called the magi secretly and ascertained from them the time of the star’s appearance. He sent them to Bethlehem and said, ‘Go and search diligently for the child. When you have found him, bring me word, that I too may go and do him homage. After their audience with the king they set out. 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” (Mt. 2:7-9).
We’ve traveled such a long way. Let us not forget what for.
And when we gaze upon that star of light, star of love. We hope for the only gift: Peace around our troubled world, peace within ourselves.
Rsp: Let there be peace around our world, peace within ourselves.
“They were overjoyed at seeing the star, and on entering the house they saw the child with Mary his mother. They prostrated themselves and did him homage. Then they opened their treasures and offered him gifts of gold, frankincense, and myrrh. And having been warned in a dream not to return to Herod, they departed for their country by another way” (Mt.2:10-12).
Let Truth, love, and healing shine in all our faces.