“They
followed the star until it stopped above the place where the child was born."
~ Matthew 2:9
Over two thousand years ago, three
mysterious strangers appeared in the land of Judea. They travelled from an area now known as
either Iraq, Iran, Saudi Arabia or Yemen.
The Three Wise Men (or Magi) were on a special mission to
find the messiah, the true ‘King of the Jews’.
They were wise indeed; today we'd call them astrologers.
Of course, like all good stories, this too has a villain –
Herod, the king of Judea. As one can
imagine, King Herod wasn’t thrilled to learn about this so-called ‘King of the
Jews’ might take his place someday. So
he enlisted the Magi to find this would-be-king and immediately report back to
him so that “(He) too, might worship him.”
It led them right to Mary’s doorstep in the sleepy little
town of Bethlehem, where baby Jesus was born. And that’s when everything that’d happened up
till then, became BC.
For centuries, historians, scientists and astronomers have
tried to explain the special guiding light.
Some scholars think the “Christmas Star” was a comet. Others believe that the “Star of Bethlehem”
was a celestial gathering of planets in the night sky. Finally, an exploding star, or supernova, has
been proposed to explain the “Star in the East.” All three explanations have been
scientifically debunked.
Personally, I believe it was a temporary and supernatural
light. God often used special, heavenly
lights to guide his people - a visible manifestation of His divine majesty. After all, the first Christmas was a time of
miracles.
The great mystery of Jesus birth was not the origin of its
special star, or why the Magi were chosen to follow the light to the Messiah. Rather it was to illuminate the fact that we
are given the same invitation today.
When we don’t know which way to turn, God will gently pull
at our hearts and lead us in the right direction. He knows what direction is best for us and
will guide our paths to get there. We can make it successfully and victoriously
if we trust His guidance.
Epiphany is an ancient church festival celebrating the Magi’s
visit to the Christ Child. Epiphany
comes from a Greek verb meaning "to reveal;" a revelation of God
revealed in the human life of Jesus.
It’s the kind of enlightenment that transforms lives and calls for new allegiances
and directions.
What ‘star’ guides your path? Where has following that star lead you?
Dear God, be my guiding light. Help me know you on a personal level; that I
might follow the path that You’ve chosen for my life and trust Your guidance
along every step of the journey. Amen
