December 15th
From being a very small boy, David was always fascinated by the stars. On a clear night he would sit with his Dad who would tell stories about the constellations and planets, explaining their movement and how we navigate using the stars as a reference point. It was a starry night and David left his bedroom curtains open as his Dad began to tuck him in…
“Dad, were the stars over Bethlehem the same as we see here today?”
“That’s an interesting question for this time of night.”
“Yes, but did Joseph and the shepherds see what we see now.”
“First off, they were in a different part of our world, so looking from a different angle. The stars were the same but in slightly different positions. Also, over time, the whole universe of stars and planets are moving in relation to us. Then there was a new star, a comet that the wise men knew about and followed – it was moving in a different direction to the stars.”
How we see things depends very much from where we are standing, our point of view and our learned beliefs which are based on our experiences. We believe that God made all things visible and invisible. Jesus Christ was with God in the beginning and flung stars into space, he set them in motion.
If we are to see things in a right perspective, we should look from God’s point of view and follow his leading. The nature of the star of Bethlehem gives rise to several theories, was it a comet, a double star or a heavenly light. This star was moving contrary to the rest of the stars and as a result more noticeable. It had been expected by those who studied astronomy and they believed the significance was to announce the arrival of a king.
If we don’t look for the unexpected, we will miss it. If we are not in the right place, we will miss it too. Be open to noticing God moving in our lives and in the lives of others. Begin to feel the prompting of that movement and go with it. Find like-minded believers and share your discoveries.
Matthew 2:9-11 The Magi visit the Messiah
After they had heard the king, they went on their way, and the star they had seen when it rose went ahead of them until it stopped over the place where the child was. When they saw the star, they were overjoyed. On coming to the house, they saw the child with his mother Mary, and they bowed down and worshiped him. Then they opened their treasures and presented him with gifts of gold, frankincense and myrrh.
Prayer
Heavenly Father creator of all things, may we notice the presence of your kingdom here on earth. Enable us to follow the leading of your Son, Jesus the Christ.
Create in us a clean heart oh Lord and renew a right spirit within us, that we are in that place you want us to be, in full sight of you Lord. Amen.
Conversations are two way
We welcome your comments. Tomorrow – In a Mess