The Christmas Star / ODB

 

The Christmas Star When they saw the star, they were overjoyed.  Matthew 2:10 READ Matthew 2:1–5, 7–12 “If you find that star, you can always find your way home.” Those were my father’s words when he taught me how to locate the North Star as a child. Dad had served in the armed forces during wartime, and there were moments when his life depended on being able to navigate by the night sky. So he made sure I knew the names and locations of several constellations, but it was being able to find Polaris that mattered most of all. Knowing that star’s location meant I could gain a sense of direction wherever I was and find where I was supposed to be. Scripture tells of another star of vital importance. “Magi from the east,” learned men (from an area encompassed by Iran and Iraq today) had been watching for signs in the sky of the birth of the One who was to be God’s king for His people. They came to Jerusalem asking “Where is the one who has been born king of the Jews? We saw his star when it rose and have come to worship him” (Matthew 2:1–2). Astronomers don’t know what caused the star of Bethlehem to appear, but the Bible reveals that God created it to point the world to Jesus—“the bright Morning Star” (Revelation 22:16). Christ came to save us from our sins and guide us back to God. Follow Him, and you’ll find your way home. By James Banks In what practical way will you follow Jesus today? What can you do this week to share His love with others? Dear Jesus, thank You for being the Way to my forever-home in heaven. Please help guide me by Your light today! For further study, read Why Should I Trust God?

SCRIPTURE INSIGHT The word Magi (Matthew 2:1) is rendered “wise men” in some translations. We know very little about them. We’re not told how many men came, only that they gave three gifts to Jesus—gold, frankincense, and myrrh (v. 11). They weren’t kings, and Scripture doesn’t name them, although some traditions have given them the names Balthazar, Caspar, and Melchior. Because Herod ordered the killing of baby boys two years old and under (v. 16), we know they didn’t come to the manger on the very night of Christ’s birth (see Luke 2:15-16) but to a house in Bethlehem sometime later (Matthew 2:11). K. T. Sim