“When Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judea, in the days of King Herod, behold, Magi from the east arrived in Jerusalem, saying, “Where is the newborn king of the Jews?  We saw his star at its rising and have come to do him homage.” (Mt. 2:1-2)

As we know from listening to the story of the Magi every Christmas season, it was the star that led them to the Christ child.  Saint Leo the Great, Pope from 440 – 461, said we should imitate the star of Bethlehem in guiding and leading people to Jesus.  

Just as God took on flesh and blood through the power of the Holy Spirit with the Virgin Mary, so too, he takes on flesh and blood in us through the power of Holy Spirit.  God calls us to be his presence in the world and to bring that presence to the people in our lives – family, friends, colleagues and even strangers. 

Just before Christmas, Jerry Belt, a good friend of 40 years, died at age 94.  I first met Jerry on a Christians in Commerce retreat in 1985.  From then up to the time of his death he had a passion to introduce people to Jesus Christ.  For the past six years, he spear-headed a parish renewal effort at St. Mark in Vienna, VA, to encourage people to experience a personal encounter with Jesus and the power of the Holy Spirit through the Alpha program.  Alpha is a series of videos coupled with small group discussion and prayers for people to experience a personal encounter with Jesus and the release of the power of the Holy Spirit.  More than 400 people in our parish have experienced Alpha and the deepening of their faith.

With most people as they grow older, their enthusiasm and energy begin to diminish, but not Jerry’s.  Up and until the last few months, his passion to encourage people to experience a personal relationship with Jesus continued unabated.     

Like the star of Bethlehem, Jerry led people to Jesus.  As we move into this new year, let us imitate the star and Jerry, and by our prayer, example and words, lead the people in our lives to experience Jesus more fully.