Following the Star

Pause

Arise, shine; for your light has come, and the glory of the LORD has risen upon you. Lift up your eyes and look around; they all gather together, they come to you; your sons shall come from far away, and your daughters shall be carried on their nurses' arms.

Isaiah 60:1, 4

Here we are, sons and daughters, gathering together. We have seen the light, and we have come to give praise.

Listen

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, β€œGo 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.

Matthew 2:7-10

Think

A child is born, the long-awaited Messiah, and a star appears, shining this good news! Wise men from the East spot the star, and they begin to follow the light. Did the wise men know where the star would lead them? Or did they just take off, hoping for the best?

The start of a new year can also feel like embarking on a journey, wide open, stretching out before us. We may not know where exactly the way is taking us or what we might find along the way.

Tradition says that the wise men traveled far β€” maybe a thousand miles or more β€” on a difficult journey to Jerusalem, then on to Bethlehem. Despite the dangers, the wise men faithfully follow the star, and the star faithfully leads them forward.

At Epiphany, we celebrate that the Light of the World is shining brightly for you and me to follow! Do you have the courage to follow the star, wherever the journey might lead you?

Meredith Forssman

Pray

Lord Jesus, thank you for shining your light for me to see. In this new year, light up my life with your presence. Help me to follow after you, even when the way is unknown. Amen.

Go

A star is shining. Can you see it? It’s calling you to follow.

Follow the star as it leads you to Christ, who is the Light, the One who leads you, faithfully, all the way.