Preparation for an event called the Star of Wonder usurped much of my week. Gathering materials, talking with the volunteers, setting up tables and chairs, finding last minute supplies kept me busy. There were special beeswax sheets that I had bought ahead of time, that somehow played hide and seek with me near the end. My mood wavered with the angst of not having them, and I confess that I succumbed to feistiness. A couple of women had to cancel for various reasons, which contributed to my worry. The day before the event I was in the car running, and realized I had left the straws inside. John offered to go fetch them. I doubted that he would find them, but it was so kind  of him to offer I agreed. In a few minutes he came out not with the straws but with the wax sheets. I was amazed. 

 

Later the woman leading a dress up area for children to be Mary and Joseph, shepherds and wise men, asked if I had stuffed lambs. I believed I did. I climbed on a chair to reach the basket of toys that comes out when my granddaughter visits, and there were three more costumes. Where I had no memory of putting them. 

 

When I stopped at the thrift store for yet a few more supplies, which were precisely what I needed, the check out person asked if I needed more help. She had participated in years past. Really? Thank you!

 

It was as if unseen forces were conspiring for a successful day. 

 

When all was in place the night before, I felt grateful. More than I would have been without the uncertainty. The anticipation of children coming, lots of children, filled me up. I wanted them to arrive, to sit in clusters to make ornaments, to read Christmas books, to hold the stuffed lambs and have their picture taken. There was no trace of needing to pre screen them. Santa's list did not apply. I wanted as many as could fit in the room, and I was giddy to anticipate their joy.  

 

There are other happenings this month that are fueled by this same energy stream. The tableaux is a collective endeavor of a hundred people who make costumes, prepare food, teach and learn the music, clean the cathedral, and practice staging. For four performances they will conspire to create a lovely rendition of the stories in Luke and Matthew. 

 

The love that inspires such ridiculous generosity can only come from one Source.