01 Dec VICARS’ BLOG December – Follow the Star

Posted at 06:00h in Vicars' Blog by

 

O star of wonder, star of night,

Star with royal beauty bright.

Westward leading,

Still proceeding,

Guide us to thy perfect light.

 

‘We Three Kings’ is a well-known carol written by John Henry Hopkins. It takes the perspective of the wise men (or Magi) as they follow the star to find Jesus. This year we focus our journey to Christmas on their journey following the star. We are invited to take our own journey of wonder and discovery as we seek the Christ child.

Wonder. There are so many things in the world we can’t quite explain, or which take our breath away. When we find something amazing it can be hard to stop ourselves trying to find out more. Choose a clear night and look up at the night sky. What amazes you? What is it about God’s world that makes you wonder?

“In the time of King Herod, after Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judea, wise men from the east came to Jerusalem asking, ‘Where is he that is born king of the Jews? For we observed his star at its rising and have come to worship him.’” Matthew 2:1-8

We all have questions: big ones and small ones. Some questions might change the course of our lives when we search for the answers. Curiosity is a powerful thing. The desire to find out more can lead us in all sorts of directions and it led the wise men to leave their homes and journey towards an unknown place, following the light of a star. What they found may not have been what they expected, a baby born in poverty. Nevertheless, they recognised him as the promised King, Priest and Saviour.

“On coming to the house they saw the child with Mary, his mother, and they bowed down and worshipped him. Then they presented him with gifts of gold, frankincense and myrrh”. Matthew 2:11

As we seek Jesus this Christmas time, following the light of the star, what we find may not be what we expect. May we recognise God with us in our journeying and wondering and bow down in worship. Then may we offer our most precious gift of ourselves and our lives to him.

We wish you an advent journey of wonder and discovery and a Christmas full of God’s light and life.

 Cathy and Jonny

Click here… for a free Follow the star app enabling you to follow the journey through the 12 days of Christmas starting on Christmas day. Alternatively booklets can be bought here.