Following A Star

In the time of King Herod, after Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judea, wise men from the East came to Jerusalem, asking, ‘Where is the child who has been born king of the Jews? For we observed his star at its rising, and have come to pay him homage.’ When King Herod heard this, he was frightened, and all Jerusalem with him; and calling together all the chief priests and scribes of the people, he inquired of them where the Messiah was to be born. They told him, ‘In Bethlehem of Judea; for so it has been written by the prophet: “And you, Bethlehem, in the land of Judah, are by no means least among the rulers of Judah; for from you shall come a ruler who is to shepherd my people Israel.” ’ Then Herod secretly called for the wise men and learned from them the exact time when the star had appeared. Then he sent them to Bethlehem, saying, ‘Go and search diligently for the child; and when you have found him, bring me word so that I may also go and pay him homage.’ When they had heard the king, they set out; and there, ahead of them, went the star that they had seen at its rising, until it stopped over the place where the child was. When they 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. And having been warned in a dream not to return to Herod, they left for their own country by another road. Matthew 2:1-12

Here on the east coast, everyone's eyes are on the storm named Lee. We want to know whether it will cause damage where we live. the spaghetti models predict a wide swath of possible impact. Our eyes are on the skies. We don't often, in this day and age, keep our eyes on the skies and the heavens. Wise people did in times past. We haven't looked close enough to understand the signs of the seasons, let alone the events which are announced in the heavens. Our ancestor knew to look up. We are fixated on screens these days. Wise men, who were foreigners, looked up and followed the star and found Jesus. May we do likewise.

Gracious Creator, you have sent the stars 

to light our way, help us navigate our voyage

they dazzle us with beauty and captivate us

and hold our hopes and dreams before us.

We have become so distant from the skies

we look at screens and scientists for direction

yet you still spin our fragile and tender globe

and promise to help us find our way home.

Help us to seek your love through your creation

may we set aside our profoundly limited ways

seeking your love and your direction daily

so we, like the wise men, might see you face to face. Amen.