Day 3
At Christmas, we often see artistic depictions of the Magi. A magnificent star guiding the Magi or glowing above a stable in Bethlehem are common themes for Christmas art. The beauty of those images is undeniable, but let’s also consider what may have actually happened.
The Bible mentions stars over 50 times, so it seems fitting God chose a star to mark the arrival of his son, Jesus, on earth. From ancient times to today, travelers have used stars as guideposts for charting their journeys on land and sea. As skilled astronomers, the Magi charted the night sky and knew it well.
One special night, they detected something others apparently did not notice - and it’s possible the star was visible only to them. In fact, there is no biblical record of anyone other than the Magi recognizing what came to be known as the Star of Bethlehem.
The Magi likely saw the star only twice, rather than as a continuous light guiding their every step. The first appearance of the star triggered their journey. The second appearance of the star came later in the story, guiding them to the house where Jesus lived.
Consider
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Do you need to focus more intently on God so that you don’t miss signs he might send you? If so, share with him in a prayer your desire to grow in this area.