A Bag Full of Starlight
Joe E Trull

     Harold Lewing describes Sam, a poor farmer of the 1930s with six children. A week before Christmas, Sam brought home six brown sacks, one for each child. “These bags are just for you. Rich kids would say they are empty. But I want you to fill your own bags with the real meaning of Christmas.”

     On Christmas night Sam took his six kids to the barn loft. Snuggled in the hay, they watched the stars. Sam asked them to open their bags, then to look at one of the brightest stars.

“Ain’t she a big bright one tonight? Light is that part of the star that moves across the vast sky toward eternity. Light is the vehicle of creation. Open your paper bags and look inside. There you can see a little of the starlight—in fact, you’ve really got a bag full of starlight. I could have filled those bags with gifts, and all your lives you’d be wasting your energy, thinking you had to fill every empty bag with material things.”

Christmas is indeed a “bag full of starlight,” for on that first Christmas morn God sent his Son Jesus—and that “life was the light of all people. The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness did not overcome it” (Jn 1:4-5).

The role of Christian Ethics Today is to bear witness to that light. And we do it only and entirely because of your faithful support and encouragement. I write these words just before Thanksgiving, mindful of so many blessings, especially your sacrificial gifts that make our ministry possible. Three special “bags of starlight” bless me greatly.

First, the starlight of a dedicated corps of assistants. A bi-vocational pastor in Beeville keeps our mailing list and website running—thanks Ray Waugh. In Des Moines, Randy Shebek transforms our Journal copy into columns, pages, and pictures. In Dallas, Suzanne at Etheridge Printing walks beyond the second mile to get CET published. And dear James Kim at Postel Tech works to get your Journal addressed and mailed on time. And here in Wimberley, my dear companion Audra types, proofs, corrects, and “secretaries” in a hundred ways to make it happen, all out of our Wimberley home.

Second, the starlight of a growing number of annual contributors to the Journal. To date in 2002 we have had a record number of 448 readers contribute $34,718. This year has been very tight (our budget is $60,000), but you our readers have made it possible to publish. Yes, I realize out of 3000 readers we have room for growth (and I urge anyone who has not contributed in 2002 to send a gift this year—we really do need your help). I also realize we have a large number of students, denominational offices, church libraries, colleges, and seminaries who receive the Journal—this is a significant ministry that your gifts help us continue. Thanks for your “starlight in our bag.”

Third, I must give thanks for the starlight of a few major contributors. When the February issue looked doubtful, one person called to offer a gift of $10,000—I must admit, I was so moved, I could not speak. This same person has now offered a challenge gift of $15,000 if we can find contributors who will match this gift.

I was again deeply touched when the first pledge of $1000 came from a young college professor who asked, “Can I pay it out at $85 a month?” I still get choked when I think of his sacrificial gift. Thus far we have $12,000 given or pledged—could you join them?

 I am also very grateful for a few Foundations and Churches who have us in their Budget, such as Northminster BC in Jackson, MS who has supported us for several years. I pray more churches may be encouraged by this Macedonian-like example (2 Cor 8:1).

So, this Thanksgiving and Christmas season, I will give God thanks for these special “bags of starlight.” Where I live there are no streetlights. The sky is filled with stars, some brighter than others, but all beaming brilliantly. Each one is important. Every star adds to the panorama of God’s Imax Theatre.

Thank you for being a part of the family of Christian Ethics Today. Pray with us that we will always shine brightly, reflecting the radiance of the One who is the “light of the world.”         J.E.T.

Updated Wednesday, May 14, 2003