Matthew 2.1-6

In the time of King Herod, after Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judea, wise men from the East came to Jerusalem, asking, ‘Where is the child who has been born king of the Jews? For we observed his star at its rising, and have come to pay him homage.’ When King Herod heard this, he was frightened, and all Jerusalem with him; and calling together all the chief priests and scribes of the people, he inquired of them where the Messiah was to be born. They told him, ‘In Bethlehem of Judea; for so it has been written by the prophet:

“And you, Bethlehem, in the land of Judah,
are by no means least among the rulers of Judah;
for from you shall come a ruler
who is to shepherd my people Israel.”’

We all live under the same sky but not all of us see its stars – its wonder.

When my father died, he left me his prayer book. Prayers he had been saying all his life, even when Multiple system atrophy robbed him of his physical strength. He never gave up on believing that this world was so beautiful he didn’t want to leave it. “I want to find out what happens to all of you.” And the prayer of love continues in heaven.

In his prayer book he had written a list of “Eye-Openers,” which included: Paul Cezanne, the Dorset Hills, St Francis of Assisi and, last of all, the name of my mother. I was so pleased she was in his list.

Everyone lived under that star – but only the Magi followed it and had their eyes opened.

What or who are your eye-openers? What leads you to Jesus? And how will meeting him change your journey?