The Star of Christmas (redux)

Pastor Mike here.

We’re all following something.

The Wisemen were following a star.

And I’d like for you to imagine those three astronomers of old.

I know there were probably more, but I’m taking the traditional approach.

Those three astronomers, think about it.

They’ve gone to college and to graduate school to get their degrees.

They’ve secured careers in their field at the local observatory for Magi.

And then now one day they each wake up and go to work together.

And then when they’re looking through their telescope, let’s just say as they’re in the habit of doing day in and day out, but this time it’s different.

This time they’re rubbing their eyes because they can’t believe them.

It’s because they see something that they didn’t see the last time they looked.

This something is so incredible, so enchanting, so exhilarating, exciting that the three astronomers – who cares about the degrees anymore – who cares about the job.

They say “goodbye” to their careers, their families, everything to go and follow a star.

And so what was it that they saw that the Wisemen would do such a thing?

Some are convinced that it was a planet or a convergence of planets.

Others say it was an asteroid or comet or meteorite.

Still others say it was a supernova, an exploding star.

There are even those who suggest it was a UFO.

Whatever the star was, the bottom line is it had a number of interesting characteristics.

According to the Scriptures in Matthew chapter 2, look it up when you can, the star appeared at a certain time in verse 7. (Matthew 2:7)

It moved in the second part of verse 9. (Matthew 2:9)

It stopped in verse 9 as well.

It even stirred the emotions of the Wisemen in verse 10. (Matthew 2:10)

It made them rejoice exceedingly with great joy.

This was no ordinary star that they were following.

No wonder they left like they did.

And God speaks to us in a language that we’ll understand.

Did you know that?

What’s your “language”?

For the three astronomers, their language was the stars.

And what was it that God was speaking to them about with the stars?

He was speaking to them about a King.

When the Wisemen arrived in Jerusalem, their arrival caused a great stir.

And they were asking a question, “Where is He who is born King of the Jews? – for we saw His star in the east – for we saw His star in the east.”

That’s Matthew 2 verse 2. (Matthew 2:2)

And so something else about the star the Wisemen were following.

It was “His star.”

And I don’t know when it dawned on the three astronomers that they weren’t really just following any ol’ star but His star.

It could have been at the very beginning of their journey.

Maybe it was.

The fact remains that they came to the knowledge that they were really following His star – the Messiah’s who’d been prophesied to come.

The star was the indication He’d arrived.

And so the Wisemen were really following after Christ and searching for Christ and trying to find Christ and in the process of locating Christ.

And as the star the Wisemen were following ultimately it marks the very place where He could be found.

The Wisemen follow His star and they find thee Star!

They find God’s Son.

And when it’s the Lord you’re searching for (He’s the real Star of Christmas) you will find Him.

You really will just like the Magi did.

Isn’t that just such wonderful news?

And wouldn’t you really just want to meet the Creator of all things?

And wouldn’t you think it would be the most incredible, most enchanting, most exhilarating, exciting experience you could ever have?

(If you can’t see this video, click here.)