Starlight: Beholding the Christmas Miracle All Year Long

by John Shea

The reflections in this book try to let things happen. They bring together Bible, traditon, experience, culture, reason, and imagination, but not in a systematic way. Each element makes a suprise appearance says more than was in the script, and then wanders off stage.

Genres: Christianity, Religion

Hardcover

First published September 1, 1992

About the author

John (Jack) Shea is a theologian and storyteller who lectures nationally and internationally on storytelling in world religions, faith-based health care, contemporary spirituality, and the spirit at work movement. Formerly, he was a professor of systematic theology and the Director of the Doctor of Ministry Program at the University of St. Mary of the Lake, a research professor at the Institute of Pastoral Studies at Loyola University of Chicago, and the Advocate Healthcare Senior Scholar in Residence at the Park Ridge Center for the Study of Health, Faith and Ethics. He has also taught at the University of Notre Dame and Boston College. He has published thirteen books of theology and spirituality and two books of poetry.

Reviews

[Carol Roote · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book belonged to my spiritual mentor, who died in September. He had marked and highlighted it, and I went through and marked and highlighted it as well. It was such a spiritual and healing experience to read this wonderful book in this way. In the chapter titled The Close and Holy Darkness in the section "Why do you seek the living among the dead?" Shea says,

"In fact, that is where we will find all our 'lost' loved ones. I suppose we could sit and wait and hope they will appear, and then be depressed when they do not or elated at an ambiguous happening that we interpret as communion. But is this not too static a view of them as persons? Did they not pour themselves into life? Did they not shape the infinite energy of God into a particular and distinctive power? Did they not breathe on us this spirit and send us out? We know where they live. They live where they have always lived. If it was in the spirit of welcome, then welcome a person and you will find the one you love. If it was in the spirit of service, then serve and meet your loved one's power again. If it was in the spirit of political change, then join efforts with people and see if your loved one does not appear. We meet the ones we can no longer touch by placing ourselves in situations where their spirits still flourish."

My mentor's indomitable spirit flourishes in this book, and I highly recommend it.

[Melvin · Rating 5 out of 5]

"Christmas is not one day of naiveté and idealism in a world of realism, but one day of realism in a world of naiveté and idealism." If that is the way you feel about Christmas, then you must read this book. It will give you new ideas about Christmas which are far different from most of the generalizations we see at this time of year. Another quote which should whet your appetite is: ""We are like flies crawling across the Sistine Chapel. We cannot see what angels and gods lie underneath the threshold of our perceptions. We do not live in reality: we live in our paradigms, our illusions we share through culture we call reality, but the true reality of our condition is invisible."

[Kathy · Rating 4 out of 5]

Behold the Christmas miracle all year long? Oh, that it would be so! No doubt this book is a masterpiece to be savored, like a box of rich dark chocolates, one bite at on time. It is on me that it has taken me another decade to finish what I think of as an Advent read. Yes, its the busiest time of year for this mom and nana who reads at bedtime after exhaustion. Not a good idea! Sleep and dreams come quickly. Sometimes dreams of what was read continue to entertain and enlighten me, as the stories, theology, life lessons and poetry contained in these pages do too. My hubby asks, "What will you read next Advent?" Now that reading Starlight is a beloved tradition, it will be time to begin again to rediscover the cherished stories, poignant messages, and lilting poetry, like old friends, hoping yet again they will sustain me all year long.