Star Gift

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!