A reflection from our Chaplain, Lauren Bailey
The Magi Visit the Messiah
…and the star they had seen when it rose went ahead of them until it stopped over the place where the child was. When they saw the star, they were overjoyed. 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. And having been warned in a dream not to go back to Herod, they returned to their country by another route. (Matthew 2 v 1-12)
Let’s consider the journey of the wise men we so often see on Christmas cards at this time of year. I can imagine that this journey was no easy task, full of ups and downs. I wonder how they felt along the way? At some parts maybe isolated, alone and unconnected; in others hopeful and motivated by expectation and wonder; sometimes, weighed down by it all. In our lives it can be in these harder times God is especially close.
Did they doubt?
Even in the hardest places of our lives we can still know God’s love as he reveals his light, sometimes in the midst of our pain and suffering. The brightest moments of hope can sometimes shine out of our darkest pain.
What encouraged them to keep going?
We are known and loved by God through all of our lives, he sees us, guides us and shines his bright Bethlehem star over our lives. The wise men’s journey ends in the wisest of all destinations. They see Jesus face to face. So much of the story of Christmas tells us about the closeness that God wants with us and this is still his invitation for us today:
For to us a child is born,
to us a son is given,
and the government will be on his shoulders.
And he will be called
Wonderful Counsellor,
Mighty God,
Everlasting Father,
Prince of Peace.
Isaiah 9:6
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