“Pacific Currents”
by Rev. Dr. Mary Susan Gast, Conference Minister, December, 2000
Monthly Reflections from The Pacific ~ News and Events of the NCNC United Church of Christ
STAR TREK
Words of encouragement and support for those ministering “in the fields.” |
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Bright Christmas Star, You soared across
the velvet black reaches of space
To live in our hearts.
Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God,
You are born among us, as one of us.
Love embodied. Word incarnate.
It’s not that no one knew You
before Jesus came to earth.
It’s not that people did not love
one another.
It’s just that with the birth we celebrate
this season,
You raised a commotion that reached
From high heaven to the dingiest
and most forsaken of us.
Resounding, thundering, that Love
is the heart of the universe.
Neither laws nor accomplishments,
Nor wealth nor
domination,
Nor betrayal
nor death
Will ever overcome
the power of love.
Love: clamoring
and committed,
needy and noisy,
Love in very human forms:
babies and parents; steadfast companions;
bright-eyed romances; persevering spouses;
grandparents, neighbors, uncles and cousins,
nieces, and students and mentors,
Brings us close to You.
There is no love lost.
We give you thanks for the many ways
You have been present to us,
The many forms in which
You have approached us,
With love sturdy beyond fleeting sentiment,
Love that etches us more clearly
with the unique design of our own self
Yet melds us into blessed community
so that we are more
when we are in your hand
than we could ever be on our own.
We pray for healing.
Staunch the bleeding
of our severed friendships,
Re-weave the fraying seams
of our torn families,
Mend our bruised hearts,
cool our fevered minds,
Wipe fatigue from our bones
and misery from our spirits, we pray;
That we may be strengthened
and enlivened
To replace greed with grace,
And to incapacitate oppression
with the exhilaration of liberation.
Great joy to all the people!
For to us is born this day a saviour,
Who is Love most unsettling and profound.
“And the ransomed of the Most High shall return, and come to Zion with singing; everlasting joy shall be upon their heads; they shall obtain joy and gladness, and sorrow and sighing shall flee away.” [Isaiah 35: 10]
When the messiah comes, all that has been fierce and terrifying is gentled. Curses melt into blessings. Harsh rocks and rugged trails become refreshing ointment and springy substance, healing our weary and aching feet, making our way bouncy with delight.
Follow that star. Into the new century.
~ Mary Susan
For previous editions of “Pacific Currents”, click here.
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