It is Christmas Eve. As I do on all Christmas Eves I am spending time outside, looking up at the stars and recounting them in my life.
There was a star that is no longer visible to our eyes, but I look for it just the same.
When I went out tonight, I saw that the Hunter, Orion, had risen. He is followed by his two companions, his dogs, Procyon in Canis Minor, and Sirius in Canis Major. Through each cycle of night in the cooler months they can be seen making their trek across the heavens. I prefer to think of them as returning home after a hunt. The Hunter is tired, and his dogs are exhausted. They follow behind the Hunter. Procyon the smaller of the two stars – and smaller of the dogs – trails at the rear. Sirius, the larger star – and the brightest star tin the night sky – holds his rank as companion to the Hunter just below the Hunter’s right side (our left as we look up).
Perhaps the Hunter had been walking slowly home after a failed hunt. He is tired, his head hangs, his club rests on his shoulder or hangs in his hand like a weight upon his soul. Then suddenly, a loud snort, a blow of hot air, startles him into a defensive posture as the bull attacks. Doubtlessly the hunter is scared, but he stands his ground and prepares to defend himself. And his companions, the dog stars Procyon and Sirius, are now alert and snarling. They stand at his side to face the charge of the enraged bull.
The stars of these several constellations are immobile in their ballet. They stand frozen for all of us to see and consider how we will react on a sudden charge. Will we stand like the Hunter and defend ourselves? Will our companions stand by our side?
Each of us is both a follower and a leader. Each of us faces fear and must be prepared to respond.
If we chose our companions well, they will stand with us. If we chose our stance well, we will be able to protect ourselves and our companions. And if we choose well who we will follow, we will overcome.
If you walk a forest path you may come upon a bear. If you walk in the fields and meadows of the mountains you may come upon a bull elk or a bison.
In each instance, we and our companions are called upon the face the danger and follow the guidance of the One we have chosen to follow.
And will we overcome.
And in all of this, Merry Christmas to all.
The picture above is borrowed from NASA.