We had a rather remarkable Christmas Eve this year here at CCC. At the 11 PM service we celebrated by actually moving from darkness to light with lots of candles. I heard from many of you that it was a beautiful service. The 5 PM service was equally remarkable, although not for the same reason. That service had scriptures read by children, a real live angel and the baby Jesus accompanied by his family. There were also people everywhere. Some say there were more than 300 people here. It was so full that people backed up clear down the center aisle when we tried to circle the sanctuary at the end. After the benediction, people were still coming to see the baby Jesus. One of those was Colin Brown, the 2 and ½ year old son of Karen Lee and Jim Brown. Colin wanted to know where the star was. Well, Colin, today is the day of the star, and here it is.

Well, actually, tomorrow is Epiphany, but we are celebrating today. Epiphany comes at the end of the 12 days of Christmas and is traditionally the day the church tells the story of the star, the 3 magi or astrologer’s journey to Bethlehem, and the recognition of Jesus by the non-Jewish world. Epiphany is a Greek word that means to "shine upon" or to "give light." In more modern terms, when one has an epiphany, one has a revelation, a dramatic uncovering or understanding, or an "ah ha" moment. Or, as in comic strips, it is when the light bulb goes on in the brain.

Certainly, in the days of Isaiah, and in the time of Jesus’ birth, people were seeking the light, both spiritually, and in the form of justice. As Isaiah wrote the words we heard in the scripture today, the Israelites, who had been in exile, were beginning to return to Jerusalem. While their life in Babylon had not been harsh, they were still captives and longed for their homeland and spiritual center and they longed to be free. So he pens the joyous announcement "Arise and shine, for your light has come, and the glory of the Lord has risen upon you."

At the time of Jesus birth, the Israelites were struggling under Roman rule. To many, the times seemed especially dark and threatening. The required allegiance and homage to Caesar was a particular slap in the face to the devout and spiritually sensitive Hebrews. Taxes were upwards of 70% or whatever the tax collectors could squeeze out of the citizens. People often lost their land to pay taxes. Five % of the people owned 95% of the wealth. Poverty and starvation were the rule for the masses. And so, within the Jewish community, the hope for the long promised messiah, a light to the nations, a spiritual and political leader, a new David, took on a whole new life and power. God’s word or promise became flesh in the baby Jesus born in Bethlehem. The light to the nations had come. The star was the light that led a surprising group of learned ones on an amazing spiritual journey of recognition and acclamation.

The Rev. Jim Todhunter, our Senior Pastor, is off following his star. He is on sabbatical for three months. Last Sunday he spoke about his hopes for this long overdue time away. He called this sabbatical an inward and outward journey. He plans to explore his own path to spirituality. But he was clear that the inner path always empowers the outer journey, that being our commitment to end oppression and to work for justice and peace. (If you did not hear that sermon you can read it on the CCC website.)

We, CCC, have a star to follow, also. Whenever a pastor goes on sabbatical, it is also a sabbatical for the church. It is a time for us, for CCC, to be on both an inward and outward journey. It is a time to be open to growing spiritually, to listen and watch for signs from God, to expect that God’s love has and will surround us, direct us and even challenge us. Some may embark on this journey alone or as individuals. Others may wish to do so with companions for the journey. You will hear soon about opportunities to join small groups who will support one another in both the spiritual and life journey. With God’s guidance, there will be opportunities for one-day retreats, to hear speakers, for prayer and meditation. Indeed, there is a star for us to follow!

Our star also calls us out into the world to bring healing, hope, justice and peace. Just as in the time of Isaiah, and the time of Jesus, many are hungry, homeless, struggling with dreadful diseases, and hopeless oppression and injustice. And, our country seems to careen closer and closer to war. We are a church who has in the past and will continue to do something about all that, and the Board for Social Witness will help us along that journey. During the month of January, they will offer Mission Moments during our worship times, and have information available during coffee hour.

We in the UCC have a history of following the justice star. In the time of slavery in this country, many of our Congregational ancestors were a part of the Underground Railroad. They welcomed runaway slaves into their homes or outbuildings, allowing them to sleep there during the day. At night the slaves followed the North Star. They knew about it because an itinerant carpenter traveled throughout the south and taught the slaves a coded song called "Follow the Drinking Gourd". It was in fact a coded song. The drinking gourd was the Big Dipper, which was of course used to find the North Star. Over the years somewhere between 60,000 and 100,000 people found their way to the North and to freedom.

Yes, Jim is gone. We will miss him. I will miss him. But we do have each other along the way and a star. And God always gives new faith, enlightenment, insight, direction and even freedom to those who follow that star.