Twinkle-twinkle litte star, how I wonder what you are….
Yesterday afternoon Elli and I were driving across town, rushing from one appointment to another. (Who knew kids had so many appointments!?) It was that kind of twilight that only happens on clear and cold December days, the sky had a deep purple hew that made the white glow of the early moon pop. It was just a sliver, a thumbnail of the moon, on it’s way back to fullness after the New Moon on November 30. Right above the moon was a incredibly bright “star.” We debated a bit about whether it was a star or a satellite, or maybe an alien space ship. I thought it was a satellite because it was so bright, Elli noticed that it didn’t move like a satellite would. A planet maybe? Where are the planets located right now? Polaris, the North Star?
Star light, star bright, First star I see tonight; I wish I may, I wish I might Have the wish I wish tonight.
Elli made a wish. I asked her what she wished for, to which she rolled-eyes at the obviousness of the answer, “If I tell you it won’t come true.” Duh. I should have known not to ask. What would I wish for? World peace? Safety for everyone? A different president? Less financial stress? A clean house? Too many wishes.
Do wishes wished on planets or satellites work the same as ones wished on stars? Perhaps that’s an existential question. There is a line in the song “Satellite” by Irish rock band The Script,
Don't it break your heart when you start to realize
All the stars that you've been wishing on were all just satellites
Maybe that’s why our wishes rarely come true, we’ve been wishing on the wrong twinkle in the sky.
Are wishes the same a prayers? “What our prayers begin may our lives continue.” Do we play some role in making wishes come true? If we don’t know each other’s wishes how can we help them become real?
I recently learned that the nursery rhyme Twinkle-Twinkle comes from a longer poem written by sisters Jane and Ann Taylor and published in a collection of poetry for children in 1806.
The Star Twinkle, twinkle, little star, How I wonder what you are! Up above the world so high, Like a diamond in the sky. When the blazing sun is gone, When he nothing shines upon, Then you show your little light, Twinkle, twinkle, all the night. Then the trav'ller in the dark, Thanks you for your tiny spark, He could not see which way to go, If you did not twinkle so. In the dark blue sky you keep, And often thro' my curtains peep, For you never shut your eye, Till the sun is in the sky. 'Tis your bright and tiny spark, Lights the trav'ller in the dark: Tho' I know not what you are, Twinkle, twinkle, little star. Twinkle-twinkle litte star, how I wonder what you are up above the world so high like a diamond in the sky Twinkle-twinkle litte star, how I wonder what you are
Star, planet, or satellite it was really special to see. As we slogged through 5:00 traffic near the mall in December, I felt like the traveler. Though I know not what you are, without your bright and tiny spark I would not know which way to go. It was a brilliant reminder of my place in the cosmos of things. A moment of sweet connection with my kiddo. A pause in the rushing to marvel at the wonders of the sky. Perhaps that was my unspoken wish granted.
What wonder are you wishing for this season?
On Sunday we celebrate the second Sunday of Advent.
Sunday, December 8
4 pm at the church
Kiddo care
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