As the Star (JM)

  

(Joseph MacRae, January 7, 2021, feast day of Christmas in Old Calender Orthodox Church; and feast day (Synaxis) of Saint John the Baptist; Poem inspired by Abbey of the Arts' Epiphany retreat (Mark Burrows, Christine Valters Paintner). Image is The Adoration of the Magi Icon, from Orthodox Christian Supply)

As the Star

      With a star the Magi do journey;

      for our sake a young Child is born, 

      Who is pre-eternal God.

      --from Nativity Kontankion,

         Saint Romanos

As the Star of long ago

           illumined

      the Magi's path,

As Prophets foretold

they would find the

     Hope of the world,

     "The Newborn King",

     who would lighten

           the world,

So let my inner Star

illumine my soul.

Amen.

*The end verse can also be a kind of Jesus prayer/heart prayer, 

        Inner Star 

        illumine

my soul...