Morning Star

Post date: Dec 11, 2019 10:51:26 PM

We gathered as Archer Mountain Earth Community for our final Agape for 2019 to reflect on the Christmas Story in the light of the Universe Story using the image of the Star.

We looked at the traditional Christmas story and at the scientific story - both holding power and mystery.

We recalled that: when Jesus was born in Bethlehem, wise men from the east came asking: “Where is the infant. We saw his star as it rose and have come to pay homage.” Brian Swimme opened up for us the mystery of the beginning of the universe with a burst of energy some 13.7 billion years ago and the emergence, some 200 million years later, of the first stars formed from basic elements. We marvelled at the transformational process that occurs within stars, requiring enormous sacrifice for new complexities of life to emerge. Swimme challenged us to participate in that transformation with a sense of mystery as to what we can give birth to through our sacrifice.

Deidre Ni Chinneide’s Celtic music inspired us as we sang “ May your bright little star, your light from afar teach us the meaning of love."

Our reflection time focussed on: What do I need to sacrifice to be transformed? What does the Archer Mountain Earth Community need to sacrifice? What do we as Australians need to sacrifice?

Our sharing time lead into a ritual where we sketched our insights onto wooden stars and contributed these to our Christmas tree of light. We prayed our closing blessing:

May we be Joy to those who are burdened

May we be Hope to those with weary hearts

May we be Gift to those who are forgotten

May we be Peace when all around is confused

May we be Love when mistrust divides

May we be expressions of the Christmas Spirit unfolding in our world.

AMEN