Overjoyed to See the Star
“1 After Jesus was born in Bethlehem in Judea, during the time of King Herod, Magi from the east came to Jerusalem 2 and asked, “Where is the one who has been born king of the Jews? We saw his star when it rose and have come to worship him.”
3 When King Herod heard this he was disturbed, and all Jerusalem with him. 4 When he had called together all the people’s chief priests and teachers of the law, he asked them where the Messiah was to be born. 5 “In Bethlehem in Judea,” they replied, “for this is what the prophet has written:
6 “‘But you, Bethlehem, in the land of Judah,
are by no means least among the rulers of Judah;
for out of you will come a ruler
who will shepherd my people Israel.’”
7 Then Herod called the Magi secretly and found out from them the exact time the star had appeared. 8 He sent them to Bethlehem and said, “Go and search carefully for the child. As soon as you find him, report to me, so that I too may go and worship him.”
9 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. 10 When they saw the star, they were overjoyed. 11 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. 12 And having been warned in a dream not to go back to Herod, they returned to their country by another route.”
The birth of Jesus is recorded in two Gospels: Matthew and Luke. Matthew tells the story of the Magi from the East following a star to find Jesus, while Luke recounts the shepherds in the fields being guided by angels to worship Him. The star that guided the Magi symbolizes Jesus, the light of the world, who illuminates the darkness, bringing salvation and manifesting the glory of God. This theme of light is also prominent in Isaiah and the Gospel of John. The star atop Christmas trees today originates from this symbol of Jesus.
The Magi did not follow the star because it was simply beautiful or mysterious. They were drawn by the promise that the star signaled—the opportunity to meet and worship the incarnate Jesus. The star served as a guide, but the true significance lay in the one it pointed to: Jesus Himself. The worship offered by the Magi was a personal, heartfelt response to the God who came in human form.
The Magi, as Gentiles, came to worship Jesus, highlighting that His birth was not only for the Jews but for all humanity. The gifts they brought—gold, frankincense, and myrrh—indicate that they were not mere nomads but wise and influential leaders. Their actions foreshadowed the spread of the Gospel to all nations and the opening of God's kingdom to the Gentiles.
The good news of great joy for all people has arrived. Jesus comes to each of us personally, desiring to be our Savior. Christmas is the day when the joyous message of salvation is proclaimed to the entire world. Today, may we celebrate the Lord who loves us and came to dwell among us, and may this be a blessed time of encountering Jesus, the light of Christmas, more deeply.
Prayer: Lord, you are the perfect light of our lives, guiding, healing, and illuminating us. We offer our lives, hearts, and spirits to You. Receive us, and work through us with Your life and light. During this evening’s Christmas worship, may we deeply experience the Lord who came to us. Let it be a time filled with joy, praise, and the peace of Christ reigning over us. Amen.
(Note: This summary was created based on an AI draft.)
Devotional content is available on the Our Daily Bread website.