STAR WORDS
Not long after I began working at The Next Door, an addiction treatment center for women in Nashville, I began to notice the paper stars affixed to various surfaces - a filing cabinet, a bookshelf, a desktop. A single word was printed on each star - no two words were the same. Curious, I asked one of my colleagues for an explanation. Thus, I learned about the Epiphany-inspired spiritual practice known as star words.
On Epiphany, we recall the Magi’s journey to Bethlehem to worship Jesus. Prompted by the appearance of a mysterious celestial event, the Magi followed the star in hopes of encountering the holy. Similarly, a star word is intended to be a spiritual guide, a sacred invitation. Throughout the year, a star word can serve as a touchstone, prompting us to engage in an ongoing conversation with God, to ask questions, to ponder possibilities. What has this word meant to me in the past? How is my understanding of this word evolving? Who models this word for me? How is the Spirit of God speaking to me through this word?
Typically, a star word is assigned randomly, unlike “nudge words” where you choose your own guide for the year. You receive the star word as a gift from God, trusting you have something to learn.
I continued the tradition of distributing star words at The Next Door each Epiphany during my tenure as chaplain. Last night I had my first chance to share star words with the women at the Western Correctional Center for Women. On the first Sunday of each month, a team of volunteers from First Baptist Church of Asheville leads worship at this prison in Swannanoa.
At the conclusion of our Epiphany service, which centered on the theme of journeying, we offered each woman the gift of a star word. After explaining the purpose of the practice, I told the women about my experience last year. When I drew a star featuring the word “stability” last January, I immediately resisted. That’s not a good word! Being stable - how boring!
Nevertheless, I taped my yellow star to the visor above the driver’s seat in my car and began my year-long journey with “stability.” God did indeed use the word to guide and challenge me throughout 2024. Often when I looked at my star, I wondered how I could be a source of stability for others. Stability was certainly a timely word to ponder in the wake of a hurricane.
This morning I spread out the remaining star words on my bed and blindly selected one for myself for 2025. I admit I was not thrilled when I flipped the star over and read the word “loyal.” My first thought: I already know what “loyal” means. My second thought: I suspect I have a lot to learn this year about loyalty.
Have you received a star word this year? If not, I would be delighted to give you one - email me, and I’ll send a star word to you.
Each year on January 6, I am drawn to Jan Richardson’s Epiphany blessing “For Those Who Have Far to Travel.” I hope you’ll take a moment to read her evocative words. Blessings on your sacred journey in 2025.
