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An Advent Poem: The Star Still Shines

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Though men may lift the barren gift, rich incense clouds the air. When loaf and cup once more raise up the Flesh and Bone of prayer.

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Highlights

By Mary Jo Matthews
Catholic Online (https://www.catholic.org)
12/7/2017 (6 years ago)

Published in Living Faith

Keywords: Advent, poem, prayer, spirituality, Catholic, Prose, Mary Jo Matthews

ATHENS, GA. (Catholic Online) -

The Star Still Shines

Oh, star set high in a winter sky
by God's almighty hand
stretch forth thy light and shine tonight
on men in every land.

In hearts renew the flame that drew
proud kings to an Infant's birth -
the first crusade when a humble maid
gave God to the hungry earth.

Retard the pace of men who race
for coins of this world's minting.
From the measure spanned by a Baby's hand
pours golden wealth unstinting.

Though men may lift the barren gift,
rich incense clouds the air.
When loaf and cup once more raise up
the Flesh and Bone of prayer.

And the blood not dry and the battle cry
of the wars that are never won
seem but as loss 'neath the tall dark cross
and the myrrh that anoints God's Son.

The gifts of today could never pay
for a stall in a barren manger
but the star still shines, and its golden lines
light the feet of the weary stranger.

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Mary Jo Matthews is a journalist, writer and poet who lives near Athens, Georgia. Mary Jo, now 86, was a 19 year old student at the then College of Notre Dame of Maryland when she wrote this poem.

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