Where do we seek stars these days?
Sometimes we seek stars in the night sky where they twinkle with light and mystery.
What are we searching for there?
Do these help us feel close to the Heavens?
Sometimes we seek stars on the big screen where they play out dramatic stories with perfect, happy endings.
What are we searching for there?
Do these help us escape the realities of a troubled world?
Sometimes we seek stars on smaller screens with virtual friends and watch displays of messy mishaps and troubles. What are we searching for there? Do these help us feel better about our own messy life?
Sometimes we seek the star shining over the Tabernacle where Jesus, present in the Blessed Sacrament, awaits the arrival of the faithful.
What are we searching for there? Does this help us encounter the loving presence of our Lord?
Scripture tells us magi from the east arrived in Jerusalem seeking the star that would aid their search to find the newborn King of the Jews. Along this journey to honor the new baby king, they encountered many bumps along the road that brought difficulties and delayed their travels. But, they persevered. This was the most important mission of their lives, to meet Jesus face-to-face! When they finally arrived, it was even more amazing than they could have anticipated. They knelt in His presence with complete humility and grace. They offered all that they held dear, holding nothing back.
"When Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judea, in the days of King Herod, behold, magi from the east arrived in Jerusalem, saying, “Where is the newborn king of the Jews? We saw his star at its rising and have come to do him homage.”
"After their audience with the king they set out. And behold, the star that they had seen at its rising preceded them, until it came and stopped over the place where the child was. They were overjoyed at seeing the star, and on entering the house they saw the child with Mary his mother. They prostrated themselves and did him homage. Then they opened their treasures and offered him gifts of gold, frankincense, and myrrh."
This is WHO they were seeking by the light of the star. This is WHAT they were searching for.
Beautiful Nativity art draws us closer to the scene. There were 3 gifts of expensive treasures, so the creche portrays 3 Kings who could afford such finery. They are referred to as Wise Men, Magi, Priests, and Astrologers. I picture this miraculous moment with wise men and wise women who made it a priority to seek the star and search for the Lord to offer all they have to Him. They are searching for Truth and Salvation. Some of the women would understand the miracle of growing a tiny, complete human inside themselves. They would have great compassion for Mary having to traverse miles on the back of a donkey only to experience labor and delivery away from familiar surroundings and people who would have helped.
Let's try to picture ourselves in this scene. Where would we be in the Nativity Story?
It would take great faith to believe such news - that Almighty, All Powerful God has come to earth as a tiny, newborn baby. Would we trust the prophecy had been fulfilled? Would we seek the star and search for the Christ Child? Or, would we hesitate, doubt, or even ignore what was happening? We can hope that we would respond in trusting faith, but we can't definitively say what we would have done then. We can decide how we will respond now, in this moment and in all the next moments ahead of us.
I pause and ponder the stars that I follow. What am I searching for? How am I seeking Jesus?
I am very excited to feature a beautiful poem by a dear friend, Mary Mac, one of my fellow Nazareth Writing Sisters. She takes us on a wonderful journey to Jesus with the Three Kings. Thank you for sharing your gift of poetry with us!
_____________________________________
Three Kings Search
January 2, 2024
Mary Mac
In a faraway land, three men
would meet a stranger they knew not when.
One night as they were sleeping,
each one was dreaming.
When they woke,
They hardly spoke. Silence…
Balthazar: “I had a dream.”
Caspar and Melchior: “Tell us what you saw!”
Balthazar: "I saw a baby in a stall.”
Caspar: “I had a dream.”
Balthazar and Melchior: ‘Tell us what you saw!”
Caspar: “I saw a star.”
Melchior: “I had a dream. Mine is very different it would seem.”
Balthazar and Caspar: “What did you see?”
Melchior: “I did not see,
My senses may be playing with me.
I heard music! Beautiful melodic music.”
Silence…
The next morning, they arose.
Caspar: “Another dream I suppose?!”
Balthazar and Melchior: “Yes!” “Tell us what did you see or hear!”
Caspar: “Come, draw near.”
Caspar: “ I heard melodic music as if it was right here!”
Melchior: “I must confess this time I did not hear.”
“In my dream a baby did appear!”
Balthazar: “ In my dream, I saw the star!”
Silence…
They slept once more.
They woke with the Sun.
Balthazar: “ A third dream where did it come from?”
“I heard angelic music!”
Caspar: “I saw a baby!”
Melchior: “ I saw a star!”
This is a sign! Quick gather everything!”
“We must find the star, the child, and hear the angels sing!”
Eagerly, they journeyed by night.
Led by a bright Light.
Finally, their destination was in sight.
The star, the music, the babe in a stall.
To their knees they knew to fall.
Three kings who traveled through faith, gifted the newborn, deigned to be king of Kings!
_____________________________________
Comments