December Lights (Part 3): A Star in the Eastern Sky | Jake Haber

For the third installment of our "December Lights" series, we re-examined the story of the Magi—commonly known as the "Wise Men"—and how the deeper context of their tale illustrates a unique spiritual truth about following the nudges of our soul. 

 

Quotes: 

 

Matthew 2:1-12:

"After Jesus was born in Bethlehem village—a band of scholars (magi or seers) arrived in Jerusalem from the East. They asked around, “Where can we find and pay homage to the newborn King of the Jews? We observed a star in the eastern sky that signaled his birth. We’re on pilgrimage to worship him.” When word of their inquiry got to Herod, he was terrified... (He) arranged a secret meeting with the scholars from the East. Pretending to be as devout as they were, he got them to tell him exactly when the birth-announcement star appeared. (He) said, “Go find this child. Leave no stone unturned. As soon as you find him, send word and I’ll join you at once in your worship.” Instructed by the king, they set off. Then the star appeared again, the same star they had seen in the eastern skies. It led them on until it hovered over the place of the child. They could hardly contain themselves: They were in the right place! They had arrived at the right time! They entered the house and saw the child in the arms of Mary, his mother. Overcome, they kneeled and worshiped him. Then they opened their luggage and presented gifts: gold, frankincense, myrrh.  In a dream, they were warned not to report back to Herod. So they worked out another route, left the territory without being seen, and returned to their own country."

 

Craig S. Keener:

“The Magi were astrologers, likely from Babylon or Persia, where astrology was a developed science. Their interpretation of the star as heralding a Jewish king fits with the popular association of celestial events with royal births.” 

 

Deepak Chopra:

“Listen to the whispers of your soul. Trust them as you would trust the map of a navigator.”

 

Matthew Fox: “The Magi teach us that truth and wisdom are not confined to one tradition. Their journey celebrates the sacredness of seeking and the holiness of encounters acrossboundaries. It is a story of trust in the mystery that transcends cultural and religious differences.”

 

Ralph Waldo Emerson:

“Do not go where the path may lead, go instead where there is no path and leave a trail.”

 

Rumi:

“As you start to walk on the way, the way appears.”

 

Sri Aurobindo:

“Faith is the soul’s witness to something not yet manifested but felt as real, a hidden reality awaiting birth.”