When the Magi  saw that the star had stopped, they were overwhelmed with joy. On entering the house, they saw the child with Mary his mother, and they knelt down and paid him homage. Then, opening their treasure chests, they offered him gifts of gold, frankincense, and myrrh. Matthew 2:10-11

For centuries, astronomers have speculated on the source of Bethlehem’s star. Was it a Super Nova or a conjunction of planets? *Could it have been a comet that streaked across the planet for 90 days,  as recorded in China’s history? Whatever caused this celestial sight, the Magi,  were intrigued by it.  Planted in their hearts, was a desire to know and to understand its purpose.  A new star in the heavens was  so unusual, they questioned what it meant, for them and for the world.

Which is what set them searching, looking for an answer to explain what they were seeing. Magi were  scholars, with access to the great libraries of the time.  There they  learned that in Israel,   was the promise of a king, whose birth would be a defining moment in the world.   So they set off, in search of this king, noting the star and allowing it to lead them. Eventually, it would take them to Bethlehem, where they found the child Jesus, with his mother Mary.

Convinced they had encountered the child they have been searching for, they offered their gifts of gold and frankincense and myrrh to Jesus, and worshiped him.

In a sense, each of us journeys to Bethlehem, in search of the child, in search of a savior. We know that we cannot right all the wrongs in our world. We can’t even right all of the wrongs in ourselves. We are in need of one who saves, who understands our plight, who will give light to our journeys, and meaning to our days. One who will warm our hearts with divine love, then lead us in ways of truth and justice.  We are in need of a Savior who will walk with us each step of the journey.  One who will  remind us of our belovedness, and touch our heart’s deep yearning, to know ourselves as children of God.

Prayer: God of the Heavens, shed your light on us. Your light that guides, when the way is confusing, and we are weary in our doing. May the star that guided the Magi so long ago, continue to lead, even us, as we journey with you to the Christ child, and beyond. Amen.

Additional resources for Advent through Christmastide, including a daily Advent calendar can be found here: Devotions for Advent to Epiphany   

* Could the Star of Bethlehem Have actually been a Comet