In this wondrous time of year, we witness the wonders of the first snow fall, of holiday lights and decorations, the glitter, the activity of giving, the excitement of children as they anticipate visits from Santa and extra days off from school. We hear the sounds of familiar carols playing in stores and churches and on car radios. And perhaps we hear these familiar words, “Star of Wonder, Star of Night, … guide us to thy perfect Light.” It is a song describing the journey of the Magi following a great and mysterious Light to the birth of the Christ, a sacred and glorious event in the story of humankind.

The Star of Wonder is more however than the guiding light to one mystical event in the history of humankind. It is also a symbol of the continuing story of birthing the Christ in us. The Star of Wonder is the Light that rises in our consciousness, even in the midst of what appears to be darkness, guiding us to the birth of the Christ Mind in us.

The true Wonder of this sacred and mystical story is not the star at all. It is not the Wise Men. It is not even the gifts that they bring. The true wonder is the light in you that rises in your consciousness and leads you to the sacred space in you that awakens the Christ in you. It is the Light in you that awakens you to the gifts already in your treasure chest. It is the Light in you that guides you to placing your life and your spiritual gifts under the care and guidance of the Christ in you.

The Wonder of this story is made manifest when we make all of our inner resources, the gifts of God within us, open to the Christ Mind by asking, “What would the Christ in me do? What would the Christ in me have me be?” The true Wonder of this story has always been the “… Christ in you, your hope of glory.” (Col. 1:27)

© 2016. Rev. Eileen Patra

Rev. Eileen is an ordained Unity Minister currently serving at Unity of Livonia, in Livonia, Michigan