The Advent Calendar - Pt. 13

 

After listening to the king, they went on their way. And behold, the star that they had seen when it rose went before them until it came to rest over the place where the child was. When they saw the star, they rejoiced exceedingly with great joy. And going into the house, they saw the child with Mary his mother, and they fell down and worshiped him. Then, opening their treasures, they offered him gifts, gold and frankincense and myrrh.  (Matthew 2:9-11 ESV).

 

God created a particular star to lead a group of “wise men” from the East who had developed an interest in looking for the Christmas child. Not only did that star lead these Easterners to Jerusalem and then to Bethlehem, but our reading tells us that the star led the wise men to the exact location of Joseph, Mary, and Jesus. And when they finally located Him, the Scriptures say they fell to their knees and worshiped Him and gave Him costly gifts of gold, frankincense, and myrrh (v. 11).

 

The text of Scripture states clearly that the wise men rejoiced over the fact that God had provided them with a remarkably accurate travel guide. Deep down they knew they never would have found Christ without the star. The Christmas star was God’s gift of direction for these seekers. God has also provided a travel guide for each of us. It may not have been a star; more likely it was someone to lead us to Christ. It might have been a mom or dad. It might have been a guy at work, a neighbor, a close friend, a teacher, or a pastor. But all of us who are Christians can retrace our spiritual journeys and say, “Without that person, that pastor, that teacher, that friend, I doubt I would ever have found Christ.” God sent someone to cross our path. He sent someone whose light was bright. He sent someone whose love was real. He sent someone whose faith was so compelling that we found ourselves trusting that earthbound travel guide to lead us to Christ. Mary was that someone for me. She and her family brought me to the truth of Jesus.

 

Perhaps you feel a whole lot more like someone who is still seeking than someone who’s found the Christ-child. I suppose there are many wandering in spiritual circles and not making much headway. In fact, with the circumstances of this year, there may be many who feel spiritually detached, looking into the New Year, and not believing it will be any better. If that is your story, let me give you a word of encouragement. God has already put a travel guide in your life somewhere. If you were to scan the horizon of your relationships, you probably already know someone whose spiritual light burns pretty bright, whose love is real, whose faith has caught your attention more than once. That person may very well be God’s gift to you, your Christmas star. Start your journey by talking with them today!