When I was in fifth grade, my parents gifted my sister and me a telescope for Christmas. We set it up on the flat rooftop of our home. Growing up in Brooklyn, we had better luck focusing the instrument on the craters of the moon than the stars in the sky. Directly competing with street lamps, airplanes, and skyscraper lights, the stars were difficult to see. That’s why I’ve always loved the story of the Magi. As some traditions say, the Magi were seasoned astronomers; they observed the glorious stars in the sky, especially the most important one: the star that led them to baby Jesus.
While the Magi only appear briefly in one chapter of Matthew’s Gospel, we can learn so much from their journey. Their search provides a road map for how we, too, can search for Jesus in our daily lives.
Keeping our eyes on the star of Christ.
The Magi arrived from the Far East, having kept their eyes locked on a special star. This star, unlike any other, led them to Jerusalem, where they asked King Herod: “Where is the newborn king of the Jews? We saw his star at its rising and have come to do him homage.” (Matthew 2:2).
We can ask ourselves: Where does Christ’s star shine most brightly in our own lives? Who or what do I need to follow in order to try and find my Lord? For me, there are two primary sources of light where I can search for Christ: my marriage and my writing. When I spend time with my husband, whether it’s on grand adventures like our recent anniversary trip to Iceland or in everyday circumstances, like cooking dinner together, doing laundry, or hiking with our dog, my love for him grows in each and every interaction. Marital love mirrors Christ’s love for us, so for me, time spent with my husband is holy. I can feel the Lord’s presence blessing our love of each other.
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The second way I keep my eye on Christ’s star is by writing. The act of putting pen to paper (or finger to keyboard) feels sacred to me. When I write, I tune into the stirrings of my heart and feel the Lord’s hand guiding mine as I string words together to share with readers.
Each of us has stars in our lives that lead us to Christ. The ones that are brightest, that bring us the most peace and hope, are the ones we should follow to find him.
Contending with false prophets, distractions, and diversions.
When the Magi spoke to King Herod, he instructed them to “go and search diligently for the child. When you have found him, bring me word, that I too may go and do him homage.” (Matthew 2:8). What the Magi didn’t realize until later was that King Herod had an ulterior motive: to kill the infant Jesus.
Anyone who searches for Christ will be met with obstacles along the way, meant to knock them off that path. It’s practically guaranteed. That’s because following Christ is not an easy road. Jesus himself warned us: “Enter through the narrow gate; for the gate is wide and the road broad that leads to destruction, and those who enter through it are many. How narrow the gate and constricted the road that leads to life. And those who find it are few” (Matthew 7:13-14).
LISTEN: Rediscovering the Magi With Raymond Arroyo
The ways of the world attempt to compete with Christ’s voice calling out to us. And because the world is a noisy, tumultuous, and tempting place, it can drown out that voice pretty quickly. For me, that distraction is usually in the form of anxiety or worry. I tend to dwell on things that aren’t in my control, and I often think about future possibilities that may or may not come to fruition. Sometimes I placate myself with distractions that don’t help the problem: doomscrolling on social media or going down a Google search rabbit hole. Neither solution is a real one, as it makes me feel emptier and worse than before.
Reminding ourselves of the bright stars in our lives helps re-orient our compasses to our true North: Christ. When I find myself ensnared in unproductive worry, I try to turn to prayer. I say the Divine Mercy Chaplet or pick up St. Faustina’s diary to remind myself to trust in God. I also like to pray the prayer of St. Michael the Archangel to “defend us in battle. Be our protection against the wickedness and snares of the devil.” Let us be careful of the worldly snares the devil puts along our path to try to obscure Christ’s shining star.
Searching for Jesus helps us find joy and bear fruit.
By keeping our eyes on our bright stars and being aware of worldly diversions that might have us look away, we can remain steadfast on the path to Christ. Keeping true to the trail will help us find peace and joy in our daily lives. The Magi demonstrated this, for “They were overjoyed at seeing the star, and on entering the house they saw the child with Mary, his mother. They prostrated themselves and did him homage.” (Matthew 2:10-11). Striving to search for Christ in my daily life makes me feel at peace. This isn’t a fleeting joy, but a deep, internal one – one that grows more unshakeable the longer I search for Christ. When I run into an obstacle like an ornery colleague or a tough decision, I turn to that well of Christ’s peace within me. This is the deep joy we can cultivate by searching for Jesus, even if we sometimes fall short. Like Thomas Merton famously wrote in prayer, “I believe that the desire to please you does in fact please you.”
The joy we find in our search for Christ helps us share our unique gifts and talents with others. During the Magi’s visitation, they “open[ed] their treasure chests” and “offered him gifts of gold, frankincense, and myrrh” (Matthew 2:11). To go back to one of my stars, I am blessed to be able to share my writing with you, dear reader. I hope my words bring some comfort, consolation, inspiration, or whatever you need to help you draw closer to the Lord. You, too, can share your God-given talents with others, just as the Magi shared precious gifts with Jesus.
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At the end of the story, the Magi received some divine intervention: “And having been warned in a dream not to return to Herod, they departed for their country by another way.” (Matthew 2:12). God’s will for our lives isn’t always laid out so clearly, but we can continue to pray for and be aware of signs of his guidance in our lives. Perhaps it’s someone you’ve met who sparks a new idea or passion within you. Perhaps it’s a surprise opportunity that came out of left field. Or, maybe it’s just a feeling of warmth and contentment. Whatever you observe that helps you find Christ in your own life, know that Jesus is walking by you. He is “the way, the truth, and the life” (John 14:6)—and the brightest star to follow.
