Today is Christmas Day

and the spice of the day is….

… Star Anise

A pinch of the Christmas story

A child has been born for us.

We have been given a son

    who will be our ruler.

His names will be

Wonderful Advisor

    and Mighty God,

Eternal Father

    and Prince of Peace.

Isaiah 9:6 (CEV)

A pinch for Christmas Day

The spice Star Anise is often associated with Christmas. Perhaps this is because of the wise travellers who followed the brightest star in the night sky to come to worship Christ, the new-born king. We too, are travellers on the journey. Perhaps too, there’s something about a humble spice pod that seems very apt for a Christmas symbol. It’s so small and yet contains within it so much potential. Our God came to the people of this world as a humble baby. Emmanuel, God-With-Us. Not above us, not remote from us, but with us. Throughout his ministry, Jesus spoke about the power of small things. He talked of seeds and yeast, a coin and a little boy’s lunch. He talked of the gift of simple acts of love, kindness, and generosity. He talked of the freedom offered by grace and forgiveness. He talked of the impact of compassion and caring for the needs of others. 2000 years later and his followers continue to try and wrap our heads around what it means to be wise travellers on the journey ourselves.

A Christmas prayer

• Hold a star anise seedpod in your hand (or imagine holding one)
• Feel the points of the star shape press against your skin
• Smell the strength of the anise fragrance
• Slowly read aloud the words of the pinch of the Christmas story as a prayer as you use your senses to appreciate the star
• Fold your fingers and hand around the star and grip it tightly
• Close your eyes and let your own words of prayer flow.

A handful of spicy facts

Star Anise is the fruit from the Illicium verum tree which is native to northeast Vietnam and southwest China

The fruit is shaped like a star with 6 – 8 boat shaped follicles arranged so they form a star

Star Anise has an aniseed flavour but comes from a different plant family to aniseed

Star Anise is the main ingredient in Chinese ‘five spice’ powder