One of the things I missed this year was spending a month camping on a field near the coast. Being far away from city lights allows me to enjoy the deep dark night that’s hidden by the urban glow.
Clear summer skies reveal so much: the satellites that constantly speed over our heads, incoming meteorites that burn up so brightly in the atmosphere that we call them shooting stars and, of course, the majesty of the stars and planets themselves.
The Bible says a fair number of things about the heavens and stars; Psalm 19 starts off with these words
The heavens proclaim the glory of God.
Psalm 19 1-4
The skies display his craftsmanship.
Day after day they continue to speak;
night after night they make him known.
They speak without a sound or word;
their voice is never heard.
Yet their message has gone throughout the earth,
and their words to all the world.
Stars are one of God’s enduring evidences for His presence, a testament to his faithfulness and an advert for his availability. They are meant to get our attention and to instil in us awe and wonder. If we allow ourselves to linger then they also coax us to ask deep questions like How? And Where? And Why?
Back in those days leading up to Jesus’ birth these how, where and why questions were exactly those on the minds of some astronomers to the East of Israel who we know as The Wise Men. They’d got their books and they knew how to read them. Even better, they actually acted on what they learnt – and even left home because of it.
When they arrived in Jerusalem they knew exactly who they were looking for and where to look for him. So I’m guessing they were probably a little shaken when Herod, the present king, didn’t know where to find the new king. He certainly was!
But just consider how they asked about where Jesus was in Matthew 2:2
“Where is the newborn king of the Jews? We saw his star as it rose, and we have come to worship him.”
Matt 2:2
The reason for their search wasn’t to strike a political deal, or to seek peace but to worship a baby.
Soon after that they got their answer to the where and took the next step towards Bethlehem. And what do you know, God confirmed their faith as the miraculous star moved to shine over where the eternal king lay.
Now, when they arrived at Bethlehem I wonder if they did another double take as they encountered a king in a humble home with lowly parents. But even if they did, they didn’t falter in their resolve.
As Matthew 2:10 records – When they saw the star, they were filled with joy!
When they saw the star, they were filled with joy!
Matt 2:10
Again, they trusted in what they had learnt from the prophesies they had read and where guiding star led. And this because they knew who it was foretelling. He was the true source of their joy. They then not only offered their gifts but themselves as they worshipped the baby Jesus. He only was the why of their journey all along and the reason for their determination. I think it’s wonderful how even before they entered the house and physically saw Jesus they were filled with joy; doesn’t that teach us something about faith and prayer?
Perhaps you already know that December 21st is the winter solstice, the shortest day of the year for us northern hemisphere dwellers. Today in 2020 it’s also the day when globally another light show takes centre stage: the once in an 800 year event when Jupiter and Saturn look very close in the sky.
It’s an event which again offers us an opportunity to look up and consider greater things than we may do by simply keeping our head down and getting on with Christmas. It’s quite something to think that those wise men figured out the Why so many years ago, and all without Google.
Their faith was set alight and they became determined to seek worship. They set out on a journey into the unknown and their persistence was rewarded with joy. This coming Christmas season, let’s follow the wise men and get the order right – don’t seek happiness this coming week; seek first to worship the King and the Joy will follow.
May you find enduring joy at this time. Happy Christmas!
And My House 
Great thoughts
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