Star of Wonder
We read of three Wise Men at Christmas each year
Who left home on a journey in search of a King.
A light in the heavens God made to appear
And then told them to follow and leave everything.
Like them—if you’re wise—God will give you a star
That will shine, not in heaven, but inside your heart.
“Arise!” says the star, “leave wherever you are
Pack your life in your suitcase, it’s time to depart.”
“Come, follow!” it says, “I will lead on the way.
Never turn to the left or the right but stay straight.
Please follow! For you could get lost if you stray
And you might miss the turn at the small, narrow gate.”
“Like John Bunyan’s pilgrim, each twist and each turn
And some forks in the road will be tempting to take.
With ev’ry misstep there’ll be lessons to learn
And you’ll find, if it glitters, it’s probably fake.”
“A mountain or two you may find hard to climb
And the Sand-Sea of Solitude leaves some behind.
But although some pilgrims fall victim to crime
You will find that most folks who you meet will be kind.”
“Some days will be difficult, others a breeze,
But at last, when your life’s-journey reaches its end
You’ll come to a manger and fall on your knees
And worship King Jesus, your Savior and Friend.”
James A. Tweedie is a retired pastor living in Long Beach, Washington. He has written and published six novels, one collection of short stories, and four collections of poetry including Sidekicks, Mostly Sonnets, and Laughing Matters, all with Dunecrest Press. His poems have been published nationally and internationally in both print and online media. He was honored with being chosen as the winner of the 2021 SCP International Poetry Competition.
An apt reminder that January 6 is Three Kings Day. Nicely done, James!
James, what great lessons you have embedded in the story of the Wise Men and then transferring the need to follow the star in your heart regardless of the difficulties. The “Sand-Sea of Solitude” is just one of many beautiful, inspired thoughts that permeate your prescient poem.
“And you’ll find, if it glitters, it’s probably fake.” – Good thought!
James, thanks for a good, colloquial, directed meditation on the Epiphany. In six stanzas for January 6. The addition of the life-pilgrimage theme, and allusions to Bunyan’s classic, are most appropriate, but I really like the first three stanzas with the fresh, personal chat from the star as spiritual director. “Leave wherever you are” and “pack your life in your suitcase” serve as excellent new-year advice, combined with the counsel to trust and follow the star God places in the heart, and not to neglect that “small, narrow gate” missed by so many. May we come to the manger and fall on our knees well before life’s journey reaches its end!
Amen to that, Margaret!
Such a gem of a poem. Thank you. I particularly connected with, “And you might miss the turn at the small, narrow gate.” A perfect poem for Epiphany.