The Magic Of ChristmasSýnishorn

“The Moving Magi” At the start of every Christmas season, I unwrap my most sentimental family heirloom, a small milk-glass vase with an intricate hand-painted votive inside. A tea candle is placed in the votive. Seems pretty boring, right? But, when lit, it is the most magical thing I own. The magnificent artwork on the votive is of three Magi riding camels with a bright star in the sky. The movement of the flame makes the images look as if they are moving through the milky vase that the votive sits within. As a child, I sat for hours watching the Magi move toward the star, never realizing it was the flicker of the candle’s flame creating this illusion. Every Christmas Eve, when all are nestled in their beds, I sit in the quiet dark and watch the glow of the moving Magi vase in front of me. I contemplate the real Magi constantly seeking, searching, moving toward the Savior of the World. Are we moving toward Jesus just like those Magi? Or are we moving in task-driven circles? The Magi had a beautiful, bright star to follow. Our GPS device is way more powerful: We have the Spirit to be our never-failing beacon toward Christ. But, in order to not move in purposeless circles, we have to turn “us” off and allow the flame of the Spirit to keep us moving toward Jesus. The star did not fail the Magi. It was divine, literally placed by God to support Micah’s prophecy of the birthplace of our Lord. Most certainly, the Spirit of the living God will never fail us. It will get us there and if we fully let go, it will get us there rejoicing! When they saw the star they rejoiced with exceedingly great joy. And when they had come into the house, they saw the young child with Mary His mother, and fell down and worshiped Him. – Matthew 2:10–11 NKJV This season and every season, keep the Spirit lit within! Be in constant movement toward the Son of God, just like the Magi. Regardless of the terrain, if the Spirit is leading, purpose and joy will be found in every ounce of the journey until the day we bow down and worship the King of Kings in person! Beth Pettry Waumba Land