The Season Of Epiphany
The Season Of Epiphany
We’ve waited through Advent and rejoiced on Christmas. Now is the season of Epiphany, which reminds us that the birth of Jesus Christ is so much more life-changing and universe-altering than just a baby born in a manger. Epiphany means “show forth” and during this season, Jesus’ identity shows forth. This is a season of light – the light of the world dawning in our lives.
Let me invite you into a fun prayer practice that we enjoy every Epiphany Sunday at CPC. Fun isn’t usually a word that comes to mind when thinking of prayer practices. They’re usually meaningful, enriching, or encouraging. But fun? Star Words are a fun practice indeed, as well as meaningful, enriching, and encouraging.
A star word is an intention word, or guiding word, to use throughout the year. I have words on cards and folks will pick one from a face down pile and that will be their intention word for the year to come. There are no repeated words so everyone’s star word is unique for them.
My star words in the past have been explore, seek, and wonder. Last year my word was stability and as I reflect back that word has a nuanced meaning for me both good and challenging. For 2025 my word is desire. I already have a thought about that but we’ll see how the year unfolds.
A super fun part of the practice for me is standing at the door after worship and watching folks pick their star words. “What did you get?” I exclaim. It’s so interesting to see people’s reactions to their words. I’ve always reassured them that I am not the star word police and they can pick another word if they’re not crazy about the word they got. But most folks are committed to the first word they pick.
Another fun part is hearing the stories of how star words have been a revelation in people’s lives. If you have a star word epiphany, I’d love to hear it. I hope you have fun with your star word this year.
Allow me to offer a prayer from Anna Strickland of A Sanctified Art
Holy God who lights our way,
We thank you for this moment of respite along the journey,
a moment to be filled with good things,
to be reminded of our belovedness
and sent out to be your hands and feet in the world.
Though we’d often prefer a straightforward,
step-by-step plan for our lives,
you’ve instead given us an invitation
to wander,
to seek,
to take a different road,
to be guided by a star.
May these star words be a map to you,
guiding us to look under every rock and around every corner,
seeking you out everywhere,
because everywhere is exactly where you are.
And next year, when the road leads back to this very place,
may we find that you were with us every step of the way.
With hope we pray, amen.
Would you like a star word? Just send me an email at lstrommen@sjcpres.org. I’ll pick a card for you and send it to you.
HOW YOU MIGHT ENGAGE WITH YOUR STAR WORD
Place your star word somewhere you will see it regularly throughout the year to allow consistent reflection on how God has moved through, around, or in connection to that word.
There Are Several Theological Statements Being Made in this Tradition:
The Magi followed a star, which ultimately led them to Jesus. Therefore, we too use all the resources we have available to us—including creative prayer practices and intention words for the new year—to move closer to Jesus.
We trust that God uses multiple ways to guide us and speak to us. Star words are one such lens that might provide us a way to look for God in our midst, both actively and in hindsight.
We trust that it is often easy to miss God in our daily midst. Having an intention word to consider both in present days, as well as to reflect on at the end of the year, allows for us to see God in ways we may not have seen God before. This is the greatest gift.
We know that the most common prayer practice for many involves speaking to God as opposed to silence or contemplation. We believe that star words invite a new prayer rhythm of reflection and review that can be a powerful new way to connect with God.
By not looking or sorting through the star words at their selection, we practice the spiritual task of receiving. It is not we who are in control in this moment. Instead, we trust that God is present, and we let go of our desire to cultivate or control.
Prompts for using the star words for daily prayer:
Look up the definition of your word, even if it is a word you know well. You may even look into the etymology of the word and how its meaning has changed throughout history.
What does this word remind you of? Does it recall any memories or experiences? How might God be speaking to you through this word?
See if you can find your word—or a synonym—in the Bible. What scripture passages can you find? How is the word used in these passages? Are there other scripture passages that remind you of your word?
Write or speak aloud a prayer using your word.
Theological Statements and Prayer by Rev. Anna Strickland | A Sanctified Art LLC |
sanctifiedart.org.
Go make peace, my friends.
Pastor Leanne
Community Presbyterian Church
32202 Del Obispo
San Juan Capistrano. CA 92675
949-493-1502
info@sjcpres.org