We three kings of orient are...  Matthew says they were not royalty, but magi - astrologers!  What did they see?  A supernova?  Jupiter and Saturn were in conjunction that year; Halley's comet passed not long before.  Medieval writers believed the Magi saw a bright angel, which they mistook for a star.  How else could a star, hanging so high, point them to any particular town or house?

   These magi (probably from Babylon - modern-day Iraq!) charted the stars in their courses and discerned destinies, foretold futures.  How did they come to find Jesus, when Herod's scholars, masters of Scripture, missed him entirely?  Do we ever hold the truth in our hands but miss the living Lord?  God is determined to be found, and will use any and all measures, even what is tomfoolery, to reach out to people who are open.

   God is "the love that moves the stars" (Dante).  By God's grace you are not stuck with some starcrossed fate.  You are free, and you are being led by God to worship the Christchild.  That is your destiny. 

   Lord, thank you for making yourself known.  I am determined not to miss you.  Where you lead me, I will follow. 

James

james@mpumc.org

The complete eAdventWithMatthew series can be found on our web site.