I mull the story of Christ’s birth, with its simplistic beauty and wonder if I saw the star, would I heed the call of duty?”
–Jack Burdette
“Where is the one who has been born king of the Jews? We saw his star in the east and have come to worship him.”
–Matthew 2:2 (NIV)
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Often I have thought of that trek so many years ago. The wise men would have traveled from somewhere near Babylon to Bethlehem, a trip of around 900 miles. That would mean it would take them around 50-60 days if not longer. Were there three or twelve? It really doesn’t matter, but the more there were the longer it would have taken. Think, it would be a caravan similar to the wagon trains going West in our country or of a large caravan of freight wagons moving along the Santa Fe Trail.
Something caught their attention. They were looking skyward; they saw something, something unusual that made them want to find this newborn king. I will say that there was also something in their heart that was longing, aching for it to be stilled. The “Star,” the ache, but it wouldn’t have happened if they had not been looking upward.
Star of the East, oh Bethlehem’s star,
Guiding us on to heaven afar
Sorrow and grief are lulled by thy light
Thou hope of each mortal in death’s lonely night.
–George Cooper (“Star of the East”)
The hope that they saw in the “Star” brought peace, and yet, at the same time anxiousness to find the newborn. There was something in what they saw. The answer, perhaps to death. Was this the man spoken about in the Jewish Prophets? The Redeemer of mankind. They had to seek Him. Think of the trouble it took. Even if only three, they had to pack their goods, food for the camels, take along extra camels in case of accident, then hire men to work the camels, and remember, these were men of means so they most likely did not travel lightly.
Fearless and tranquil we look up to thee,
Knowing thou beamst through eternity.
Help us to follow where thou still dost guide,
Pilgrims of earth so wide.
“Look up,” that was the answer. No it wasn’t astrology; it was far more than that. Think for a minute, that “Star” had to have been prepared to appear at just this moment in history. It was prepared when the foundations of the earth and universe were spoken into existence. All that the Incarnation holds, the complete story is too wonderful for me to understand, comprehend, and when I think of it I must take it in small amounts. The wise men traveling, the “Star” that guided their way. Was it a single star created by the great Creator or was it movement in the heavens that caught the attention of the wise men? Either way, it was a marvelous undertaking that they began because of something happening in the cosmos.
Oh star that leads to God above
Whose rays are peace and joy and love
Watch o’er us still ’til life hath ceased
Beam on, bright star, sweet Bethlehem’s star.
They spent many a night on the trail following the star. Did they ever tire, or did the hope that was stirred deep in their heart keep them going? No matter, the “Star” was ever before them. The “Star” that would lead them to the Light of the world was always shining. When they gazed briefly at the campfire with the smoke rising, they would hear the faint echoes of “Look upward” and it would bring hope and help steady their thoughts on the journey. There was something they heard, they saw, they sensed that kept them going; their heart longed to worship the new King.
Star of the East, thou hope of the soul,
While ’round us here the dark billows roll
Lead us from sin to glory afar
Thou star of the East, thou sweet Bethlehem’s star.
We know they reached the place where the Child was. They brought and gave Him their gifts, but we must not forget how they reached their destination. It was the constant echo of the campfire–“Look up!” They began their trek by looking up and seeing something. They continued following the light of that “Star.” They didn’t waver from their journey; they continued to gaze upward and continued onward until they found the Child–the Savior of the world. We can only imagine what went through their hearts and minds. They knew they were in the presence of someone grand and unique; they understood that something majestic, mysterious was happening and they were warned in a dream not to go back to Herod. Yes, something wonderful was taking place.
What happened to them, we do not know. I am sure that their hearts continued to burn. They had been a part of something glorious. They didn’t falter along the way, but were steadfast in their desire to find this new king. Onward and upward they continued. Listen, perhaps you can hear the “echoes” of “Look up…for your redemption draweth nigh”.