Anticipating Christmas Advent Devotionals: Day Twelve

THE SET UP: In 2021 NASA launched the James Webb Space Telescope, the most powerful telescope in history. The images the Webb Telescope has provided and the discoveries it has made are mind-boggling. Philosopher Emanuel Kant said, “the moral law within and the starry hosts above,” were two compelling proofs for the existence of God. Indeed, while only 9,096 stars are visible with the naked eye, research has determined that our universe contains three septillion stars. For context, there are a trillion trillions in a septillion. So, there are three trillion trillions of stars. Wow.

In the account of Jesus’ birth in the Gospel of Matthew, we read that the Magi (Wisemen) of the east followed a star to find the birthplace of Jesus (read about it in Matthew 2). When they inquired of Herod as to the location of the King of the Jews, they said, “we have seen his star rise in the east and have come to worship him.” They had been watching for the star in anticipation of the Messiah.

This is an important part of the Christmas narrative because thousands of years earlier, a prophecy about the star had been given. It is found in Numbers 24:17, “I see him, but not here and now. I perceive him, but far in the distant future. A star will rise from Jacob; a scepter will emerge from Israel.” This was spoken by a prophet named Balaam. Balaam had been hired by a king to curse Israel. But every time Balaam started to prophecy, he blessed Israel instead. It frustrated the king but Balaam refused to say anything except what God told him to say. So he blessed Israel. And in that blessing he saw that in the distant future a star would rise and a scepter (king) would emerge from Israel. What a cool reminder of the consistent message of the Bible as it points to Jesus. It’s also a reminder that even when others might want to see us fail, God can cause us to be blessed.

PASSAGE TO READ: Numbers 24, Matthew 2:1-12

REFLECTION QUESTIONS:

·      Who are your favorite characters in the Christmas story? Why?

·      When you think of the incredible majesty of creation and our universe, does it help you to believe that God can do anything? Why or why not?

·      What do you think the Wise Men were looking for when they followed the star? What do you think most people are looking for when they begin to follow Jesus? How about you?

PRAYER: “Lord, thank you for the fulfillment of your promises, even using a prophet who was asked to curse your people. Thank you for turning curses into blessing in our lives. May we look to you, the creator of the universe, for wisdom and guidance. Amen.”