On Sundays, Night Prayer will focus on an element from the day's celebration of Mass. Tonight's prayer connects a photo of a simple street scene in Brookline, MA with the star in today's gospel, guiding the magi to the Christ Child...
A friend took this photo 15 years ago: a night shot wherein the darkness reveals more than daylight might have shown. (Click on the image for a larger version) A street light glowing like a star, a humble dwelling's greater light spilling out its doorway into the darkness: Epiphany!
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| Photo by MS |
O Magi - were you confused?
Did you wonder if you'd taken a left for a right
or misread the bright star's GPS?
Was it all a big mistake? Could this really be
the town? the street? the place? the door?
But a light spills into night and beckons, calling:
"This way! Come this way!
Let go your thoughts of
what should be, what might have been, and
open up to what is here, what is now,
to where he is and dwells - he
whose light and presence warm
this chilled and darkened night!"
Teach us wisdom, Lord:
open our eyes to your star above
and our hearts to your glowing presence
living within and around us
and just across the street,
lighting the paths we walk each day,
lifting us up, out of our darkness
to find your radiant, holy face...
Protect us, Lord, in the dark of night,
shine bright upon us while we sleep
that awake, we might keep watch with you
and asleep, rest in your peace...
Amen.
This musical selection is perfect for tonight's prayer and offers
us an ingenious arrangement, coupling a relatively new song
(1991) with an old (1857) and well known Christmas carol...
Come, Follow That Star by Don Bresig and Nancy Price
There's a star in the east and we must follow
if we want to find the love of the tiny Child
Follow that star,
come, follow that star
Sent from heaven above,
he will change the world with his love
We must find him
we must follow that star
Kings and travelers come from afar
filled with hope and wonder they are
seeking ever, doubting never
led by that shining light
Star of wonder, star so bright
guide us through the dark of night
now we seek him, soon to greet him
tiny Child of truth and light
There's a star in the east and we must follow
if we want to find the love of the tiny Child
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