Did you see the planetary alignment?
Jupiter and Saturn, the largest planets in our solar system, came “near” each other on December 21, 2020. By that, I mean their orbits brought them to where they appeared to be right next to each other.
Being so “near” to each other, they looked like a very bright star in the night sky. I keep putting near in quotes because the two planets, even when they appear near to each other, are actually many millions of miles apart in space.
From our perspective, the two giants appear near each other about every 20 years ... but not this near. This kind of close appearance —where they seem to be touching— hasn’t been seen in our night sky in over 800 years.
Some folk call this planetary alignment “The Bethlehem Star.” It’s probably not much of a surprise to find people looking for a scientific explanation for that event. Scripture tells us quite a bit about that “star” and the Magi —those wise men from “the East”— who followed it.
But, is that planetary alignment what they saw and followed? What did they see? When did they see it? How did they follow it? Where did they go? This week’s scripture from Matthew tells the story of the Magi. But there are many questions left unanswered.
Here’s what we think we know. Some astronomers from somewhere east of Israel saw a light in the sky they had never seen before. They interpreted its presence to mean a new “King of the Jews” had been born. Somehow, this light —the star— appeared, to them, to be moving westward, in the direction of Israel. The wise men (or Magi) took note of when the star first appeared, packed up some supplies and gifts, and headed west without knowing their final destination. They upset Herod “and all of Jerusalem” when they told why they had come. Scripture suggested the child had been born in Bethlehem. The Magi left Jerusalem, followed the star until it “stopped” over a house. They went into the house where they presented their gifts to Mary and the baby. Finally, based on the Magi’s calculations, Herod concluded the child had been born within the past two years.
None of that actually explains what the Magi saw or why they believed it heralded the birth of Israel’s new king. It could be the planetary alignment, but could the planetary alignment appear to move westward? Maybe.
We are left with lots and lots of supposition, and little clarity about those visitors from the East.
But here’s what we can know.
God got their attention by placing something unusual where they couldn’t help but see it. God enticed them to leave the comfort of their homes and travel to meet Jesus ... and bring gifts fit for a king. God led them to Jesus using that same unusual thing.
Does it matter what God used to draw them to Jesus? No. And the same is true today. God calls us in ways we understand, and then leads us gently to that place of meeting.
And the only gift the king wants is us.
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PHOTO (Jupiter on top of Saturn as seen through the SKYVIEW app): Steve Orr
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I hope you can join us Friday morning on Zoom for DaySpring’s Lectionary Breakfast. We start at 8:00. Bring your breakfast beverage of choice and enjoy the fellowship of others who seek “the King of the Jews.”
NOTE: Zoom allows you to mute the camera if you don’t wish to be seen and to mute the microphone if you don’t wish to speak.
Contact me for the Zoom link.
Blessings,
Steve
SCRIPTURES FOR THIS SUNDAY
Find them here: Isaiah 60:1-6
Psalm 72:1-7, 10-14
Ephesians 3:1-12
Matthew 2:1-12
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