The Star

The Eighth Day of Christmas:  The Star of Bethlehem was a genuine scientific fact!  The Biblical astrologers from the East noticed a star, the planet Jupiter, 'moving' in the sky and they knew the predictions about the expectation of the Jewish messiah to come. In actuality, when Jesus was born, Jupiter appeared as the brightest star ever seen in the sky because of its proximity to the planet Venus.  This Star of Bethlehem looked to those who came to Bethlehem, like it had stopped over Bethlehem and, indeed, it had.  To learn how this was proven mathematically, go to www.bethlehemstar.net.  It is truly amazing!

In addition, the same website proves the "blood moon" at the time of Jesus death was an eclipse at the exact time!  This author concluded that when God created the universe, he knew the exact time Jesus would enter our world and the exact time he would die; therefore, from the beginning, the universe was arranged for the skies on Earth to make visible these unmistakable signs.  Awesome!!

From the astrologers, or wise men, or the three kings, we notice that they were 'following their dream,' their hope.  Remember Elvis singing, "I'm gonna follow that dream wherever it may lead me"?  We might consider what our deepest, fondest dreams, or aspirations are.  How high in this life do we want to reach?  What is realistic for us?

Many teens hope to be Rock Stars or Football Stars or Movie Stars.  Few attain that and most who do are unhappy, judging by their very public lives.  "Life" has a way of limiting us but we shouldn't be discouraged.  We can be the Stars of our own families, the Stars of our workplaces or even the Stars of our neighborhoods.  Real Stars in the sky may be a bit bright and sparkly, but they just hang there and do their duties well.  We can do that: whatever we do or wherever we are or whichever relationships we have, do our very best with what we have.

On this First Day of 2014, if you've reviewed the past year and made your goals for the New Year, what would December 31st, 2014, look like if you've achieved the very best you can, your best self?  What needs to happen in your life?  Make lists of the small steps you can take to accomplish this.  (Please see this blog, Monday, December 16, 2013, for suggestions.)

I would like to share with you a goal I've had for many years.  Even I, the Queen of Optimism, find this very difficult to disclose.  Suppose I fall short?  Suppose I'm a total flop?  Well, there have been so many times in my life that others have tried to discourage me from even attempting something I consider new and big. But I just had to know if it could be done so I plunged ahead.  Most things worked out well.

So here goes: By the end of this year, I would like to have finished my proposed book on preventing horrible relationships and choosing fulfilling ones.  There are fourteen chapters  I want to write.  I've finished only two.  I would be thrilled to have it more than half finished.  But I'm going to try to complete it.  May God help me, I'll try!  And may God help you in whatever you feel is important in your life this year!