fear
The story of Jesus’ birth is full of fear. Yes, there is joy and hope and faith and love, too, but still, there it is: fear. Mary is afraid, Joseph is afraid, the shepherds are afraid. Even Herod is afraid. To Mary and Joseph and the shepherds, angels say “Do not be afraid” even though it is nearly inconceivable that they could not feel so.
But not so for the wisemen from the East.
Sages.
Astrologers.
Clerics.
Scholars.
Holy men with a willingness to believe the unbelievable, an openness to the impossible. These men come from other lands, from other faiths and religions to worship a King they discovered through a star.
No angel.
No heavenly host.
No annunciation.
A star.
And they travel for…how long? Days? Weeks? Months? To see a baby.
And they withstand Herod’s evil overtures, worship the child, and return home another way.
With courage.
With fearlessness.
With faith.
And all because God showed them a star.
