#Retrospective — This post originally published December 4, 2019.
The fire crackled as I watched sparks fly up into the evening sky. I stared at the faces of the men sharing the warmth of the fire with me.
“You are a long way from home,” I remarked to them.
They nodded in agreement. I struggled to make conversation with these visitors. I had never encounted a group of men so thoughtful, so wise. There was something different about them. Instead of worshiping the stars as a god, they used the stars to navigate — one star in particular.
“Why are you following this star?” I asked.
“We are seeking the one who has been born king of the Jews. We saw his star when it rose and we desire to worship him.”
“Worship him?!” I exclaimed.
They just smiled and nodded. I wondered if they realized what they were saying. Herod wouldn’t be too pleased to know the Jewish people also had a king.
“So where is this ‘king of the Jews’ supposed to be born?” I asked.
One of the men looked at me with a surprised look, like I should know. “In Bethlehem in Judea, for this is what the prophet has written: ‘But you, Bethlehem, in the land of Judah, are by no means least among the rulers of Judah; for out of you will come a ruler who will shepherd my people Israel.’”
I nodded as if I knew what he was talking about. That was an old writing I read as a boy. It was one of many prophesies I read, but could this actually be happening as it was foretold? These men seemed so sincere about their journey, men of power and prestige. Yet they were willing to humble themselves before this newborn king. I grabbed the metal rod next to me and poked at the fire, stirring up the flames. I watched as sparks effortlessly floated up and I fixed my eyes on the vastness of the starlit sky.
#WednesdayWalk Through the Bible — an exploration of what unknown people might have seen or felt when they witnessed the events in the Bible. This post is from the perspective of someone who encountered the Magi as they followed the star based on Matthew 2:1-12 (NIV)
© 2019 CGThelen
140 Character Christian 
They anticipated greatness. Am I? Do I anticipate the second coming as they did the first?
Great questions to ponder. Blessings.
This leads me to wonder about the far-reaching gospel those magi spread. God uses people in so many ways.
He surely uses you.
I don’t think the magi could’ve kept such an experience to themselves after returning to their homeland. I too wonder about the impact they had on people in far-away places. Thanks for the comment and your kind words. Blessings.