Nations will come to your light, and kings to the brightness of your dawn. – Isaiah 60:3

Today's Scripture Reading (October 21, 2023): Isaiah 60

Every Christmas, we talk about the Christmas Star. It adorns our Christmas trees and is a crucial character in our advent displays and Christmas art. But the Christmas Star is unlikely to be like anything we have imagined or portrayed in our many seasonal decorations. For one thing, the closest "star" to our planet is our sun, and even it, or any of the even closer planets, is too far away to be seen as standing over one animal stable, house, or even town. Besides, the star didn't lead the Magi to Bethlehem but to Jerusalem. It was only because of the Temple priests and teachers of the law that the Magi adjusted their destination to Bethlehem, a town not far from the Jewish Capital.

What is more likely is that the Magi were astrologers who looked for the story of the world being told in the stars. And because a rogue star, most likely a comet, was making its way through the houses of the stars, these Magi were led to the conclusion that a new King had been born in Israel. And since he was a new King, the proper place to look for him was in the Capital city, Jerusalem.

The Magi were also likely Zoroastrian believers, a monotheistic faith that rose in ancient Persia or modern-day Iran. So, soon after the birth of Jesus of Nazareth, nations and officials came following the light that told the story in the stars of the birth of the new king of Israel.

Is this the fulfillment of Isaiah's prophecy? Maybe it is the beginning of fulfillment, but the fullness of the prophecy continues even today. The light that has shone over Israel through Jesus continues to attract people from all of the nations of the world. But the ultimate fulfillment of the prophecy will wait until the millennial kingdom of Christ, when the light of Jesus will be raised over Israel, and all nations will be brought to his light.

But for now, the light of Christ continues to shine out of the lives of those who follow him. After all, it was Jesus who gave us our mission.

You are the light of the world. A town built on a hill cannot be hidden. Neither do people light a lamp and put it under a bowl. Instead they put it on its stand, and it gives light to everyone in the house. In the same way, let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven (Matthew 5:14-16).

Tomorrow's Scripture Reading: Isaiah 61