For several years when Sarah and Matt were teenagers, they alternated giving the prayer at the family Christmas dinner. It was not an honor they desired, but they always did it graciously. One year Sarah surprised all of us by memorizing this poem by Ann Weems. Each Christmas I reread it and remember how proud and touched I was by her effort and the message of the poem.
Star Giving
What I’d really like to give you for Christmas
Is a Star . . .
Brilliance in a package,
Something you could keep in the pocket of your jeans
Or in the pocket of your being,
Something to take out in times of darkness,
Something that would never snuff out or tarnish,
Something you could hold in your hand,
Something for wonderment,
Something for pondering,
Something that would remind you of
What Christmas has always meant:
God’s Advent Light into the Darkness of this world.
But Starts are only God’s for giving,
And I must be content to give you words and wishes and
Packages without Stars.
But I can wish you Life
As radiant as the Star
That announced the Christ Child’s coming,
And as filled with awe as the Shepherds who stood
Beneath its Light,
And I can pass on to you the Love
That has been given to me,
Ignited countless time by others
Who have knelt in Bethlehem’s Light.
Perhaps, if you ask, God will give you a Star.
Merry Christmas!
