31 Days of Christmas – Day #30

When You Can’t See the Star

Everyone could have seen the star and understood it, but only the wise men followed it. They were called “wise,” because by profession and study they had mastered the lore of books and the wisdom of heaven. They were philosophers and astronomers, wise men who were accustomed to looking above the world of men for guidance and truth.
Now, there’s no particular reason for limiting the number of wise men to 3, except for the fact of 3 gifts: gold, frankincense, and myrrh. Early tradition says the kings traveled in a vast company of people, of which 7000 were left at the Euphrates River, while another 1000 continued on to Jerusalem.
Don’t you know those kings of the East were objects of ridicule and scorn when they first announce they planned to make a journey to a strange land to worship a new King by following a star! But aren’t you glad their faith was stronger that their pride?
Did you know the wise men lost the star? That’s right! Somewhere along their journey, the star disappeared. Oh, they had it well in sight when they began their trip. Actually, it was the appearance of that star that started them out across the desert to find the Son of God in the first place.
But they lost it! Of course, they kept going. They couldn’t just park in the desert! And when they finally got to Jerusalem and entered Herod’s palace, they didn’t tell him where the Baby was. Remember, it was only after conferring with his scholars that Herod told them that the Baby was born in Bethlehem.
The wise men walked out of the palace, looked up, and there it was: “Lo, the star, which they saw in the east, went before them” (Matthew 2:9). Scripture says, “When they saw the star, they rejoiced with exceeding great joy” (Matthew 2:10).
What makes a star disappear? Why would we ever lose it from sight? A heavenly vision. A holy calling. How could a star like that get lost?
Well, I suppose clouds could get in the way and block it from view. Or maybe the day could get too bright all around us. It’s hard to see a star at noon! And sometimes we can just get distracted. We tend to look at other things, and then when we get back to look at the star, it’s gone.
So what do you do when you can’t see the star? Do what the wise men did. JUST KEEP GOING! (Hebrews 11:1)