These reflections are a result of more than 40 years of ministry as a Roman Catholic priest. Most of these years I spent in the Diocese of Charlotte which covers Western North Carolina. Now I am retired, and live in Medellín, Colombia where I continue to serve as a priest in the Archdiocese of Medellín.

Saint Lucy, virgin & martyr, December 13

Then Balaam gave voice to his oracle: I see him, though not now; I behold him, though not near:
 A star shall advance from Jacob, and a staff shall rise from Israel. (Num 24:2-7, 15-17a)
https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/121321.cfm
Balaam’s prophecy sees the coming of the Messiah with the mention of a star, a detail that the gospel writer, Matthew, uses to great effect. Saint Lucy is one of the famous young women martyrs of the early church. Before the calendar reform in 1582, her feast day marked the winter solstice. Her feast day is especially celebrated in the northern countries.