S4 Day 13: Star: Illuminating, Universal and Diverse

Reflecting Verses: Matthew 2:1-12

Christmas and its multi-faceted celebrations are marked by elements such as Crib, Tree, Stars, Santa, Presents and so on. If observed keenly, we never find all the elements in everywhere, but one element remains unmoved i.e. Star. The hanging of the Star at the entrance of a place is believed to symbolize, the presence of the Baby Jesus in that place. 

In the infancy narratives, we see Matthew alone presenting the incident of “The Visit of the Magi” in Matthew 2. The Wise Men/Magi came from the east to pay homage to the new born King of Jews by observing his star at its rising. They met King Herod, assuming a "palace birth" and then went to Bethlehem following the Star till it stopped over the place where child was laid. They entered the home, paid homage and left for their own country by another road. In the midst of the elements and characters in the narrative, Star stands out to be the focus in this narrative. 

In biblical narratives, Stars are seen as persons (a category of God’s beautiful creatures) and belief in Star persons (Rev. 1.17; 2.1 & 3.1) continued until this practice of seeking an explanation of one’s fate/destiny in the stars became linked with Astrology. Israel was influenced by the astral cults of Mesopotamia (Amos 5.26 & Deut. 4.19). Star Gazing was so popular among shepherds and navigators. It provided the people with useful information for daily life. It was in this line we see the Story of Magi is a midrash that was formed upon Number 24:17 (When the Messiah appears, the star of Jacob rises and is discerned by those to whom God reveals). The Magi who followed the star to visit Jesus at Bethlehem (Mt. 2:9) represented the tendency of that time and culture to cast horoscopes of famous leaders and extraordinary individuals. 

Was the Star that showed way to the Magi simply horoscopic or does it have different message? 

The star was not just informing the Magi about the whereabouts of the Messiah, but rather it expressed an important truth that the “Birth of Jesus is a call to embrace Universality & Diversity” and not confined to one race or people (Just as Luke highlights in his message to Shepherds). The Presence and Participation of Magi (who came from Babylon or Persia or any other place) in the Birth Narrative of Jesus is a symbolic expression that, God in Jesus, seeks all people. The illuminated Star stands as a symbol of breaking barriers of Caste, Race, Religion, Culture, Ethnicity and Language which existed in the time of Jesus’ birth. The illuminated star dispelled the darkness of “Owning Baby Jesus” and acts like a magnet by pulling closer all the people to experience the reign of God. 

The star was not just instructing the Magi to follow until the place Jesus was laid, but rather teaches us another important truth that “Birth of Jesus is a call to move away from the Palaces.” For the Magi, Star was a symbol of the highest order leading to the Palace – the home of the King. But this Star illuminated their hearts in order to move away from the Palace. The Star stopping at the top of the Home rather than Palace and also the Magi finding Jesus, the true Liberative Messiah, was appalling, dispelling darkness of “Seeking Messiah in the Thrones” and acts as a pathway to find the Messiah among people. It is through this people’s-Messiah, we experience God. 

What kind of Star do we seek today? Do we want to owe everything to ourselves and push out all those who try to enter into the fold? Do we still seek Messiah’s on the thrones, rather among the people? Star at Bethlehem illuminates our hearts and minds to welcome the True universal Liberative Messiah, Jesus. 

Author: Rev. Samuel Anbarasu 

About the Author: Samuel earned his Bachelor of Divinity from the United Theological College, Bangalore. He is an ordained minister of the Church of South India – Diocese of Madras. He is passionate about reading, movies, football and preaching. He is presently serving in the Gundur Pastorate.