Shine brightly,
star of God,
and guide our wandering world
to where a prince of Peace is born.
Where children wish upon a star
or wise men scan the universe in hope
let your bright beams
surround their dreams
and guide their hesitating feet
to where a miracle is born.
Enable each of us
to make a New Year’s journey
leaving behind the prejudices and fears
of yester-year,
embracing a fresh openness
by which we welcome all world pilgrims
whose journeys end in worship and humility.
Be a sign today
of mercy and of love
like a rainbow in spring
or the bright summer sun,
and show us how our lives
can include the forgotten and forlorn,
the grieving and the hurt.
And we will offer
to our God
now seen and touched in straw-filled bad
the best gifts in the world:
our joy, our grief, our life.
David Jenkins, minister in the United Reformed Church UK
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When they saw the star, they rejoiced exceedingly with great joy.
prayer & verse 
