Good morning…
In yesterday’s post We Experience Epiphany, I shared the spiritual practice of choosing a star word to guide us into the new year. Journalist Marissa Hermanson explains, “Star words are given out to the congregation in early January on Epiphany Sunday as a way of remembering the story of the Magi following the star to find Jesus. The wisemen didn’t know where the star led, but they put their faith in it to guide them on an epic and mysterious journey to a place of greatness. The star word is the church’s way of reminding us of this important narrative every day of the year. And the star word is a tool to guide you and bring metaphorical light into your life during difficult times.”
Several of you responded, “How might I choose a star word for 2026?”
There are several ways to choose a star word. Some churches hand out paper stars with words on them and people either blindly or intentionally choose a star to take home on Epiphany Sunday. Other churches hand out a random word, in person or online, and participants are invited to trust the word they receive as offering guidance for their life in the coming year. Some churches give a list of words for people to choose from themselves, while for others choose a number between 0 and 100 and are given a word corresponding to the number they prayerfully choose. After receiving star words, some congregations take time to unpack their meaning.
Privately or collectively, people might ponder:
How do I feel about my word?
How does the word connect to my life?
What is one way I could live into my word in the coming week?
What scripture, phrase, or song can I carry with me to help me focus on my word?
Interestingly, as I have researched this fun spiritual practice over the past twenty-four hours, I have discovered Presbyterian, Methodist, Baptist, Lutheran, Mennonite and non-denominational churches sharing their creative use of star words as a guiding tool.
One church wrote a blessing for those receiving their star word.
As stars have guided wise ones for centuries, may your word guide you in the year ahead. By the radiance of your star and the power of the Holy Spirit, may you live with deeper intention and greater attention; may you find the holy in delightfully unexpected places; may you worship with joy, give with gratitude, and follow the new way home that God will provide.
The prophetic Word was confirmed to us. You’ll do well to keep focusing on it. It’s the one light you have in a dark time as you wait for daybreak and the rising of the Morning Star in your hearts (2 Peter 1:19, MSG).
May your own journey of self-discovery with God begin anew!
…Sue…
