Advent Day 24

“They saw the star and were overjoyed.” Matthew 2:10

There’s an internet meme that you may have seen; a picture of Leonardo DiCaprio sitting on a chair pointing at something excitedly. This meme is especially funny when it’s applied to people who are quick to see and point out something that most people might have missed. Think of the movie nerd in your life who knows every little, tiny detail of a film and they notice some obscure line or character that appears on screen. They go nuts! Why? What’s so special about this tiny little detail?

The Magi were the same way; they saw this obscure throwaway star in the night sky and knew without a doubt what it meant. The Messiah was coming. They rushed to the temple courts ready to geek out with Herod, the priests, and “all of Jerusalem” (Matthew 2:3) only to find that their fellow “nerds” missed the sign. Are you kidding?! This is the biggest thing ever and you all missed it??

We often think of the Star of Bethlehem as this super bright star in the sky shining for everyone to see, but this is unlikely. The star would have been unremarkable to pretty much everyone who wasn’t looking for it. I often think about the multitude of “stars” that God puts in my life that I miss out on. I miss out on being overjoyed, I miss out on blessings in the darkness, I miss out on the Messiah and the joy that comes from knowing Him because I didn’t see the stars when they were there.

That’s the other thing about the star of Bethlehem, it was temporary. It was there for a time, and then it wasn’t. Am I going to passively wander through life, ignoring the signs and wonders around me, or am I going to look up, “geek out with fellow nerds”, read my Bible, pray, and be eagerly waiting to be overjoyed when I see the Star that God has sent my way?

“Lord, help me not to miss the stars You send my way. I want to be overjoyed knowing that You are here. Amen.” ~Joe Principato