Christmas Reflections: Timeless Truths for Today
Seeing the Good in Our Journeys
After [the Magi] had heard the king, they went on their way, and the star they had seen when it rose went ahead of them until it stopped over the place where the child was. When they saw the star, they were overjoyed.
Matthew 2:9,10
We donāt know much about the Magi. Matthew only tells us that they were āwise menā from āthe east.ā Although they tend to show up as a group of three in Nativity scenes, we donāt know exactly how many of them there were. We can make a guess as to their place of origināperhaps Babylonābut we donāt know exactly how long their journey was either. Estimates range from 400 to over 1000 miles and from a month to several years. But we do know how they were guided on their journey: by a divinely provided star.
There are times I wish God would provide me a star for guidance. Life contains so many choices to make, so many paths to take, and often Iām not quite sure if Iām on the right path or not. We all have those low times in our lives when we wonder whether God really still loves us, whether we are still worthy to be called his child, whether any good can come out of the trials and tribulations weāre experiencing. Whereās our star in those moments? Whereās our assurance that God is indeed with us every step of the way?
Thankfully, God does provide assurance that he is with us on our journey through this life, even if we canāt always see his presence. āAnd we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purposeā (Romans 8:28). This verse doesnāt mean that weāll always make the right choice or that weāll always act in accordance with Godās will. We are sinful human beings, and that sinfulness shows itself daily in our words and actions. But in Romans 8:28, God does promise that he will take all our choicesāgood and bad, influenced by our old Adam or our new selfāand use them for good, for his purposes.
The Magi were blessed to see the good at the end of their journey. They saw Jesus with their own eyes and bowed down and worshiped him. They had the certainty that their journey was not in vain, that they accomplished the task set before them, that they reached their goal. And then they returned to their own country, presumably to tell everyone what they had seen and heard.
It would be lovely if we could always see the good in our journey, too. Unfortunately, that isnāt always the case. Sometimes we can see how God is working for our good in the moment. Sometimes, that seeing takes longerāmonths or even years. And sometimes, we arenāt able to see that good on this side of heaven. But we can be comforted in knowing that God is always working for the good of those who love him, whether thatās directly for our good or for the good of another fellow believer. Even in the midst of this uncertainty, may we share the joy of the Magi at Godās guidance and protection throughout our journeyāfrom this life to the next!
Prayer:
Lord Jesus Christ, give us hearts like the Magi as we seek to find joy in our journey here on this earth. Comfort us with the knowledge that you are working all things for our good, and remind us of the perfection that awaits at the end of our earthly road. Amen.
Written by Kristi Meyer
Provided by WELS Women’s Ministry