Following the Star
After they had heard the king, they went on their way, and the star they had seen when it rose went ahead of them until it stopped over the place where the child was. 10 When they saw the star, they were overjoyed. 11 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. 12 And having been warned in a dream not to go back to Herod, they returned to their country by another route. — Matthew 2:9-12
I have always been curious about the Magi in the Christmas story, the wise men and star gazers who trusted a light to lead them away from the dark. They journeyed through the wilderness only following a star far off in the sky. They chose to walk in faith, trusting the light above. Did they have any idea what they would find at the light’s end? Were they surprised to find a small child in a place of dust and dirt, rather than an ornate home of royalty? No matter what they expected, once they saw this child they knew they had found greatness, love, and peace beyond our human understanding. These men of great intellect and wisdom were brought to their knees by a babe. They bowed down to worship this child in humble surroundings. They recognized Emanuel — God with us.
One of my favorite things to do is to look up at the stars early in the morning before the sun rises. Looking at the stars on a cold, crisp morning, I can’t help but think of the wise men who trusted a star to bring them to this new king, a child. May we, too, have faith like the wise men. May we trust the guiding light that calls us to Christ like the wise men did so ever long ago.