Star Gift

13/01/2023 8 min
Star Gift

Listen "Star Gift"

Episode Synopsis

Today's episode is about the meaningful tradition of handing out "Star Words" (not to be confused with Star Wars) each year on Epiphany. It was started by a church in Connecticut back in 2009 and has since spread to hundreds of congregations (including ours here in Wilmette). A "star gift” or “star word” is a simple card with a single word on it, words like “marvel,” “play,” “heal,” “generosity,” "intention," and "today." The word is meant to be received as a gift from God for the coming year. It may be an invitation, a challenge, a prayer or a reminder. The list we used at our church this year contained 160 different words.  Each year, I tape the word I receive to the inside of my journal or back door at home and frequently ask myself, "How am I experiencing ______? Where am I seeing God in this? Each year, the meaning of the word changes as the year goes out and I see it from many different angles. We've been doing this for 5-6 yeas now, and I've received different words: focus, adventure, playfulness, joy, healing, trust and (this year) silence. If you'd like me to send you a star gift word, just shoot me an email and I'll send you one! I'd love to share this beautiful tradition with you. Feedback? I'd love to hear from you at [email protected]. Thanks for listening, friends. You are loved and never alone!