The bright star in the night sky sometime around the birth of Christ may forever be a mystery. Since we just celebrated Epiphany, the event of the Magi visiting the Christ child, I’d like to pause for one more moment to consider the story further. Of course, some rule it out as fiction, and some imagine it to be a conjunction of several stars and planets so that it looked like just one star. Such an event did occur in 6BC and since we don’t know exactly how long it took the stargazers to get to Bethlehem, we are filled with wonder. Though the star itself is worthy of debate and consideration, I’d like to think about the astronomers, the seekers in the story.
Tradition has their number as three, but there could have been many more. After all, they had been studying the movements of the stars for their entire lives anticipating the birth of the Messiah. They trusted that some incredible event was going to happen. Apparently, they didn’t know exactly where the event would take place because they stopped to ask Herod for directions. Of course, he was not as thrilled as they were about the idea of a coming Messiah, someone who might have a greater kingdom than he had.
Once the travelers went on their way, they noticed a most brilliant star that seemed to be moving ahead of them. How long it was there, or how many months they may have followed it is unknown, but they trusted that they were being guided. They were so certain they would find the holy child that they brought gifts, the kind that paid homage to the One they waited years to see. Perhaps they inspired our own traditions of gift giving at Christmas.
So, how did the visit affect them? Chances are they never looked at stars the same way again, never once forgot the guidance they received. They left the scene, traveling home filled with awe and wonder. The Bible doesn’t follow up on the lives of those ancient seekers to tell us how they were changed, but it is likely, they were never the same again. They may have understood their life purpose like never before. They had gotten a glimpse of the Savior; the One Isaiah had written about. Their eyes were opened, and they had an incredible story to tell.
Now, centuries later, we too need a glimpse of the Savior. We need our eyes to be opened to all that God has planned. The same God who led Moses through the wilderness with a fire that burned and guided their direction for forty years, wouldn’t have any trouble using His own creation to help guide the hearts and minds of those who seek Him still. Christmas may be over, but the brilliance of the occasion still shines, still guides, still moves people toward the gift of God.
Don’t stop searching until your heart finds rest in the One who was born just for you.
Blessings, dear friends.