A star-spangled start

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Francis Gonsalves [1]

The year 2012 has just begun. Believers usually invoke God’s blessings at the dawn of every year as they look ahead to a year full of peace and
prosperity. Come January, Christians celebrate a star-fest known as Epiphany, meaning revelation, commemorating a mysterious star that led three wise men to the manger where Jesus was born (Matthew 2:1-12). The star is a symbol of God’s leading light.

Besides being astronomical entities which shine in the night skies, stars are also universal religious symbols: the Star of David or the Jewish Star, the Star of Lakshmi in Hinduism, the Rub el Hizb of Islam and the five-pointed star or haykal of the Baha’i faith. Each of
these reveals some aspect of the Divine Being. Stars transport us from the terrain of the terrestrial to that of the
transcendent, the Beyond.
The three men “from eastern lands” who followed the star are known as Magi, meaning “wise men” in Greek. They are wise precisely because they leave familiar shores, their family and friends in pursuit of an
ideal. “When they saw the star they rejoiced exceedingly with great joy” (Matthew 2:10). They were overjoyed at getting a darshan of Lord Jesus. They
worshipped him and gave him gifts.
The story of the Magi has a deep message, namely, everyone must look up and follow a star or pursue some ideal that motivates one’s moves and animates one’s actions. In ancient times, mariners would chart the course of their ship by gazing at the pole star that gave them direction.
At the start of January, ask
yourself: What or who is your star?
January takes its name from the two-faced Roman God, Janus, whose faces look in opposite directions: forward and backward. You might be tempted to look back at the past and
regret your misdeeds of 2011. That would be foolish since the past is unreal. Say goodbye to all that was.
The New Year invites you to look ahead at what is to come in 2012. Are there some areas in your life that need renewal? Why not set up fresh goals and venture out into new avenues of action? You may want to emulate someone successful, or reach targets that seem difficult at present. It is important that you look up to that symbolic “star” and move ahead with hope.
You may not achieve all your resolutions by the end of this year. However, you will certainly be happier for having tried to reach unreachable stars. Remember, God helps those who help themselves. So, let’s begin this year with Tagore’s prayer: “O God, amidst thy numberless stars, let me place my own little lamp.” Happy New Year!

Francis Gonsalves is the principal of the Vidyajyoti College of Theology, Delhi. He can be contacted at fragons@gmail.com