Flashlights and Star Light
Tuesday evening of this past week found me crowded into a gym filled with proud parents waiting to see their children perform in the school’s annual Christmas program. The thing that made this program unique was the use of flashlights by the children.
The intention was that they would shine the flashlights onto the ceiling, producing a starry sky. In the hands of excited young children, many of the flashlights were missing the ceiling altogether and were blinding members of the audience in a random and rather startling manner.
I didn’t notice any parents turning their gaze away from the stage though, even after several shots from wandering flashlights—I know I didn’t. I was watching my child. And if I had to endure my own personal strobe effect to do that, so be it. My attention was focused on what was important to me.
About 2000 years ago, a group of astronomers were intently focused on their area of passion—the stars. And as if using a giant flashlight, God broke into their world, and shone a remarkable star directly into their searching eyes. Because of their studies, they knew from the writings of the prophets that this star meant the birth of a Hebrew king. Their journey took them to the natural location for a king in Israel, Jerusalem.
Arriving in Jerusalem, they were no doubt surprised to discover that no one seemed to know anything about a new king. Imagine their disappointment after such a long, difficult journey. While they waited on Herod’s advisors for further information, they continued to watch the sky. Eventually the research of the chief priests and teachers and the star itself led them to Bethlehem and to the newborn king.
There are many more questions about the Magi than there are answers. But the Word does show us several important lessons from the story of the Magi. First, when God spoke to the Magi in a dream and directed them away from Herod, they obeyed God. Second, this is not the story of men searching for God, but yet another example of God meeting people where they are and drawing them to himself. And third, when the Magi finally found the Messiah, they worshipped him. This had to be more than offering gold, frankincense, and myrrh to a toddler. Their worship encompassed their whole journey, their search for God. And when they found him, they found not the weak beam of a flashlight, nor even the celestial radiance of star light but the one they found and worshipped was the Messiah, the Light of the World.