Where Is That Star Pointing?

Where Is That Star Pointing?

After Jesus was born in Bethlehem village, Judah territory—this was during Herod’s kingship—a band of scholars arrived in Jerusalem from the East. They asked around, “Where can we find and pay homage to the newborn King of the Jews? We observed a star in the eastern sky that signaled his birth. We’re on pilgrimage to worship him.” (Matthew 2:1-3)

Provoked by an unmistakable indicator in the sky, a discerning band of scholars were determined to worship the new King. God’s incarnation, our redemption intervention, was promoted by a star. The star, that point of light, was pointing to the Light of the world, Jesus.

God is with us, and within us. The Spirit sends us into the world to demonstrate —to incarnate— the incredible life-changing, transformational possibilities of God-with-us living through Jesus Christ. The event of incarnation is inextricably bound up with the whole salvation story of the Good News.

As it did in that first Christmas, the Star continues to point to where God meets people —incarnationally— with intentionality, humility, and authenticity. The Star points to places where a restorative community, family, or fellowship creates a future of emerging opportunities. From isolation to engagement, retribution to restoration, from fault-finding to gift-bearing, from timidity to courage, from self-interest to generosity, the Star points the way. As those scholars of old discovered, the Star points to where God’s presence transforms life.

Look around. Where do you see that Star pointing today in your home, church, community, or world? I am grateful for your acts of grace and kindness. Let's both do more of that! As the proclamation of the Word and the worship of God are experienced this Christmas week, I hope that you are bathed in the Star’s glow of forgiveness, hope, and joy.

How will you change so that your community sees the Star today?

Merry Christmas,

Kevin