One of the advantages of being an early riser, I have discovered, is the sight of the still dark sky. As I walk the streets of the neighborhood on the way to our corner store to buy the newspaper, I look up and gaze in wonder at the brilliant planets and splendid stars that, when clouds do not interfere, burn brightly before the arrival of the day.
At this time of year I look with special attention toward the east where the planet Venus shines. This vision makes me think back to St. Luke’s Gospel and its account of the wise men who “saw the star in the east.” Formed by a lifetime of biblical imagery, I conjure up images of people connected with the birth of Jesus in the little town of Bethlehem. This association of stars and holy happenings sparks in me spiritual reflection about my place in the great universe, and that of my fellow human beings.
The sense of wonder I feel is itself a gift from above. This spiritual gift I hope never to lose – an awareness that at the heart of everything lies mystery, more reality than we can ever lay hold of. In the face of so stupendous a creation, how can we ever stop wondering about it all? And yet, even my astronomer friends confess hardly ever looking at the night sky; instead most of them nowadays focus on print-outs from their computers.
But these scientists do teach that there is much more to the universe than ever appears to us. Beyond our solar system, other systems further away than we can comprehend stretch out almost infinitely. Just hearing about these distances also provokes awe.
Down below, the lights that my neighbors display at this time of year also provide inspiration. The bulbs they string across small trees and bushes invite association with the ineffable brightness of being. Local residents looking out from their windows and curious passers-by can take heart from this heralding of a sacred season.
Christmas and Hanukkah, coming in the same month, suggest many points of convergence between two great spiritual traditions. Both faiths call people to celebrate events of deep meaning. I recall former neighbors, now moved to Israel, whose weekly observance of the Sabbath and annual celebration of Succoth and other feasts moved me to admiration and reverence.
Other traditions, too, move their adherents to mark this season. Now that Americans find value in a variety of religions, from the Asia and elsewhere, we are learning to respect diverse approaches to the sacred. I recall gathering with Muslims in their local mosque where they shared with me the food and drink that ended their day of fasting during the holy time of Ramadan.
Still others among us gravitate toward new styles of spirituality, creating fresh forms of worship arising from new insights into the holy. They may find inspiration in the world of nature or newly fashioned rites of meditation.
Some people, however, feel no need of the transcendent or, perhaps better, find the transcendent in the merely human. This kind of secular spirituality can also lead to joyous celebration.
Whatever our approach, we can all discover motives for recognizing what is precious in this season. All of us are gifted, not only in qualities of mind and heart, but also in the country where we live.
We live in one of the places on planet Earth that has been most favored. This is a place of abundance, though unfortunately some have been left out and still await their fair share. Still, we are at peace, at least externally – if only that peace can take root in our hearts, then the promise of this season will be realized in our children.
The smallest children in our neighborhood also give me hope. One, named Peter, arrived only last month. What a blessing for us all his presence is! And those others slightly older – – Georgia, Sam, Heloise, and Hayley – – growing up near people who treasure them, inspire me with what the future can be. Citizens of a new century and a new millennium, they will help shape the decades to come.
So there’s much reason to celebrate our having come into this season of festivity. For our children this means days free from school and freedom to play for hours on end. It may also bring with it the pleasure of unexpected gifts. I hope to see them outside slid-ing along on new skis or sleds, and wearing bright jackets.
For grown-ups, beyond shopping sprees, may this time bring us fun at parties, reunions with extended family and friends, and (if we’re lucky) some leisure. We may even hope not to let this time speed by without our seizing the opportunity for prayerful reflection on the meaning of it all.
Richard Griffin