The Star of Bethlehem

They came from the east.

We don't know how many. Tradition says three because of the three gifts.

We don't know their names with certainty. We don't know exactly where they were from.

What we know is that they saw something in the sky.

His star. That is what they called it. His star in the east.

And they followed it.

Across desert. Across distance. Toward a king they had never met, in a country not their own.

They arrived in Jerusalem and asked Herod where the one who had been born king of the Jews was.

That question disturbed the entire city.

Herod consulted his priests. They quoted Micah: Bethlehem of Judea.

Herod sent the wise men ahead. Told them to bring word when they found the child.

When they departed from Herod, the star they had seen in the east went before them.

And stood over where the young child was.

Stood still.

Stars do not stand still over houses.

Stars do not move across the sky in a direction and then stop.

This one did.

When they saw it stand still, they rejoiced with exceeding great joy.

They entered the house.

They saw the young child with Mary his mother.

They fell down and worshipped him.

They opened their treasures. Gold. Frankincense. Myrrh.

Then they were warned in a dream not to return to Herod.

They went home another way.

The star is not mentioned again.

It had done what it came to do.

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