Star-Struck

     The wise men from the East see the star. Not many did. How did they know? What was it about the star that brought them in search of the Messiah? Were they familiar with Jewish Scripture?

“A star shall come out of Jacob, a scepter shall rise out of Israel.” Numbers 24:17

     It is ironic that King Herod, the king of the Jews, calls a secret meeting with the Magi. He does not understand and is fearful of this child, this so-called Messiah. He had consulted with his advisors and teachers of the law. He asks the three men to seek out this child and report to him, and they go on their way.

     God leads them to Bethlehem. That same star is just ahead of them.

When they saw the star, they were overjoyed. On coming to the house, they saw the child with His mother, Mary, and they bowed down and worshiped Him. Then they opened their treasures and presented Him with gifts of gold, frankincense and myrrh, and having been warned in a dream not to go back to Herod, they returned to their country by another route.  Matthew 2:10-12

     The virgin birth, the town of Bethlehem, the star rising, and now the gifts of the three Magi, all prophesied hundreds and even thousands of years earlier. Statistically impossible by human standards. But with God, nothing is impossible.

“Herds of camels will cover Your land, young camels of Midian and Ephah and all from Sheba will come, bearing gold and frankincense, and proclaiming the praise of the Lord.” Isaiah 60:6

    The wise men were watching the skies, waiting for the Messiah. Are you? Jesus could return at any moment. Wise men still seek Him. And maybe, like them, your route will change. Worshiping Him, seeing Him up close and personal, often moves us in a new direction. The three travelers were moved out of the way of a scheming King.

     Whick way will He lead you? Away from our poor choices, away from weariness, away from all-encompassing anxiety? After meeting Him for the first time, we turn from despair and move to expectant joy and hope. Just as His mother clothed Him in swaddling clothes, He clothes us with His righteousness. He wraps us in His loving arms and we will never be the same. Keep your eyes fixed on the skies. We are heaven-bound!

Dear Lord,

The stories surrounding Your birth astound us. From the ordinary birth in a manger to the brightest star spoken of so long ago, leading us to You. Keep our minds and hearts focused on You during this busy season and every single day thereafter.

In Jesus name

Amen