A Star That Stops
Word From Wiese
January 7, 2025
Did the story unfold the way you imagined?
Yesterday was Epiphany, the festival in the Church’s liturgical calendar when we remember the Magi visiting the holy family.
Growing up, for whatever reason, I always imagined the Magi following a guiding star that shone in the west like a beautiful setting sun, steady, reliable, always there. Or maybe like a bathroom nightlight: every single evening it was on, faithfully glowing and showing the way.
But over the last couple of years, I’ve noticed some details in Matthew’s telling of the story that challenge that picture.
First, the star appears where they live.
Matthew tells us that the star appears for them not in the west, where the Holy Land would be located from their vantage point. Instead, they say they saw it “in the east,” (Mt. 2:2) right where they were living. Perhaps at this point the star is not occidental, but neither is it accidental. Wherever it shines, it captures their attention right where they are. The star compels them in the middle of their everyday lives. It doesn’t wait until they are ready or finished with other responsibilities. It motivates them to load up the minivans, pack provisions, and set off on an adventure they don’t fully understand.
Second, the star seems to disappear for a period.
Matthew’s Gospel also suggests that the star may have stopped shining for a while. Why else would the Magi be willing to consult King Herod? Herod was a known scoundrel, a ruler who had killed some of his own children and perhaps a wife or two as well. He certainly could have been featured on a Law & Order: Holy Land, (da da da da dumm) or the subject of a Netflix true-crime special. If the star had still been shining brightly and giving precise divine GPS coordinates, the upstanding Magi probably would have steered clear of this ruler of ill repute. Instead, the journey includes uncertainty, questions, and uncomfortable detours. Faith, it seems, does not always come with uninterrupted clarity.
Third, the star appears again—and moves. (Mt. 2:9)
Whew! Thank goodness, we hear the magi shout. It guides the Magi toward Bethlehem and then stops over the house of the holy family. We can add “a moving star” to the list of Christmas miracles, right alongside a virgin birth and angels guiding people through dreams. Matthew tells us that when the Magi see the star stop, they are overjoyed. (Mt. 2:9). Of course, they are thrilled to meet Jesus, Mary, and Joseph—even if this humble household doesn’t resemble the royal family they may have imagined. But perhaps they are also joyful because their feet finally get a rest. Their dogs had to be barking! (Don’t you wonder how the feet of the Monks of Peace travelers are holding up on their 2300-mile journey?). It’s like the end of a marathon. You’re overjoyed to see the people you love, but you’re also deeply relieved to stop moving, catch your breath, drink some Gatorade, and savor the moment.
In this first full week of a new year, many of you are writing resolutions or choosing a theme or word for the year ahead. Way to go. I won’t suggest any additional goals for you today. But I do want to share what I hope are helpful observations about how even God-inspired goal-setting can work. Here’s what we learn from those very first Bethlehem-bound go-getters and how their experiences might inform some of your adventures in 2026.
Magi Moment #1:
A star captures your attention right where you are. God plants a dream, a goal, a mission, or a calling in your life. While it may eventually lead somewhere far away, it often begins right in the middle of your everyday flow.
Magi Moment #2:
The star doesn’t show the way every single day. Some days the clouds roll in. The skies grow dark. God-given encouragement feels distant. We’re unsure which way to go, and like the Magi, we sometimes find ourselves asking directions, even from folks who feel less-than-friendly. We wonder if we’re still on the right path.
Magi Moment #3:
The star reappears. Faith is confirmed. Direction returns. And eventually, we reach Bethlehem—where our journey connects with Jesus’ life, purpose, and plans. There, we discover the joy of offering our gifts and becoming part of Christ’s story.
So, friends, it’s wonderful if you’ve crafted clear New Year’s resolutions, goals, and strategies. But amid your planning, be ready for an unexpected star that might already be shining nearby. Ask yourself: Is this a holy beckoning?
If your prayerful discernment says “yes,” then be brave like the Magi and take the adventure. And once on the road, be prepared for moments when the star seems to disappear and leaves you wondering. Hang in there. If God provides the mission, God will also provide the way. The Lord’s light will shine again at the right time.
And in the end, we’ll find ourselves worshiping Jesus. Overjoyed, grateful, and thrilled to be part of his story.
Reflection Questions
- Where might God be placing a “star” in your life right now—something that has captured your attention where you already are?
- How do you usually respond when clarity fades and the path forward feels uncertain?
- What gifts do you sense God inviting you to offer as part of Jesus’ story this year?
In Christ’s hope,
Pastor Fritz
Let us pray:
God of light and mystery, you meet us where we are and call us forward by faith. When the way is clear, give us courage to follow. When the path is hidden, give us patience to trust. When our journey feels long and tiring, give us strength to keep going. Lead us by your light in this new year, until we find ourselves resting, rejoicing, and worshiping at your feet. In Jesus’ name, Amen.