Thursday, December 3, 2009

The Light of the World by Tana LeMay


1After Jesus was born in Bethlehem in Judea, during the time of King Herod, Magi[a] from the east came to Jerusalem 2and asked, "Where is the one who has been born king of the Jews? We saw his star in the east and have come to worship him." 9After they had heard the king, they went on their way, and the star they had seen in the east went ahead of them until it stopped over the place where the child was. 10When they saw the star, they were overjoyed. 11On 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 and of incense and of myrrh. (Matthew 2: 1-2, 9-11)

I find the nighttime sky so amazing and so vast with all its stars. I could gaze at them for hours. There are so many. And yet, the Magi, or wise men, knew which single star to follow to find Jesus. It had to have been brighter and bigger than all the other stars in the sky at that time. The journey of the Magi took them a long time, many months, and the star remained before them, guiding their path. I wonder if the sky was ever covered by clouds, which obscured the star? Did they ever get lost on this journey and have to search for the star? Where is the star now? Did it disappear after the Magi found Jesus?

Fortunately, the miracle of the first Christmas is still with us. 9The true light that gives light to every man was coming into the world. (John 1:9) That light is Jesus. The star the Magi followed is no longer needed, thanks to the gift of God’s son. He wants to be your guiding star. If you ask, He will provide hope and direction as you travel through this life’s journey. If you ask, He will shine His light on you and through you. That is my prayer for you. Merry Christmas!

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