The parents of young children have a still greater responsibility for they are, or should be, Stars of Bethlehem to their sons and daughters to lead them to offer themselves to Christ.  The Church has their children only for a short time each week and therefore her influence is limited.  But the influence of the home is great and continual for good or ill.  Nothing can be more encouraging than when parents bring their children to church with them and worship as a united family.  What counts is a clear-cut example of faith and practice and devotion.

For we shall never bring others to Our Lord or to take their full part in the life and worship of the Church unless our own star is shining steadily and brightly.  Unless we ourselves are really devoted in our practice of the Christian Faith and are seen to be so, our star will shine dimly and in vain.  Every Christian is liable at times to be half-hearted and no one is attracted by half-heartedness.  We have to show that Our Lord means everything to us before we can make him mean anything to anyone else.

So, at the beginning of this New Year, as we come in spirit with the Wise Men and kneel and offer ourselves to God, let us resolve to make that offering apply effectively to every part of our life, so that our star may so shine before others that they may see our good works and glorify our Father who is in Heaven.

Reference

Humphreys, C. (2009) ‘The star of Bethlehem’, in Alexander, P. and D. The Lion handbook to the Bible, Oxford: Lion Hudson plc, page 553.