Our Christmas lights are up! They’ve been up for weeks, and I confess we turned them on before Thanksgiving. Christmas lights are so festive; I love driving through various neighborhoods and seeing the different displays. I’m always so impressed when someone goes to all the work of setting their lights to go on and off to the rhythm and beat of a set of songs.

I’m not sure when the tradition of putting colorful lights on houses began, but I’m delighted someone imagined such a wonderful idea. I could create a strong connection between lights and Jesus being the light of the world, or the fact that a star, (i.e., a really big light) heralded Christ’s birth. Perhaps there is a connection, perhaps not, I don’t need to research the answer to enjoy all the colorful twinkling.

Wondering about the Wise Men

I wonder if the wisemen were as fascinated with the star they followed as I am with Christmas lights. All sorts of questions come to mind. Did the magi investigate the sky on a regular basis looking for anomalies? How long did it take the magi to confirm the star they saw was worth following? Scripture says the wisemen saw the star “at its rising,” what does that mean? Was the star not there one night and then magically there the next? Were there wisemen who didn’t think the star was significant enough to follow? How far did they truly travel? How many servants traveled with them? Did they leave families to go on this journey or did their families travel with them?

So. Many. Questions.

Even though I wish Matthew included more details in his story (found in chapter 2, verses 1-12), I remain fascinated with the magi. The magi are also called wisemen and the title is appropriate. In just twelve verses, Matthew introduces us to men who can offer us, who are followers of Jesus, incredible wisdom. The Wise Men teach us five lessons for our own journeys.

Five Lessons from the Wise Men

First, the Wise Men were seekers and learners; they recognized there was someone greater than themselves.

These men were smart, men who studied and had wide understanding. But these Wise Men knew they didn’t know it all; they grasped the truth there was One who was beyond their comprehension and worthy of their worship (Matthew 2:1-2).

We also need to be seekers and learners. King David declares in his Psalm of Thanksgiving because the ark had returned to Jerusalem, “Seek the Lord and his strength; seek his face always” (1 Chronicles 16:11). Proverbs 3:5 teaches us that the renewing of our minds transforms us so that we know better how to live like Christ. Paul tells Timothy “All Scripture is inspired by God and is profitable for teaching, for rebuking, for correcting, for training in righteousness, so that the man of God may be complete, equipped for every good work” (2 Timothy 3:16-17)

Second, the Wise Men were willing to follow what they didn’t fully understand.

The Wise Men couldn’t explain everything about the star, or who they were traveling to see. The magi journeyed not knowing where they were going, nor exactly what they would discover at the end. Their learning led them to believe the star they saw was a sign, and it represented someone worthy of their adoration (Matthew 2:2).

“Oh, the depths of the riches both of the wisdom and of the knowledge of God! How unsearchable his judgments and untraceable his ways! For who has known the mind of the Lord? Or who has been his counselor? And who has ever given to God, that he should be repaid? For from him and through him and to him are all things. To him be the glory forever, Amen.”

Romans 11:33-36 CSB

We cannot fully understand, nor explain God. His ways are beyond what we see as reasonable. Hebrews 11: 6 reminds us that we can’t please God without faith, without trusting and believing He is the One who is greater than ourselves and He has the answer to all our questions and need.

Third, the Wise Men were willing to journey for as long as it took.

Matthew tells us the Wise Men came from the East, how far east is uncertain. Various theories state that the magi came from around or near Babylon. I found estimations of their travel anywhere from three weeks to five months to two years. We don’t know if they traveled by day, or only by night since they were following a star. Regardless of what we don’t know, we do know they stuck with the journey, not knowing fully where they were going. They journeyed by faith.

Our journey is no different. We don’t always know where we will end up; we choose to follow the leading of the Holy Spirit. King David talks about following God’s leading in Psalm 23. He writes that the Lord is his shepherd and leads him “beside quiet waters,” (v2) and “along right paths,” (v3). David talks about God being with him and comforting him (v4). Even when the enemy surrounds, the Good Shepherd provides for David’s needs. Wherever our journey takes us, however long a difficult season may last, we need to be willing to follow God’s leading.

Fourth, the Wise Men were willing to ask questions, and they were willing to change course and adapt.

The magi got to Jerusalem and asked around for directions to “the newborn king of the Jews” (Matthew 12:1-2). Word gets to King Herod, and he calls the Wise Men in for a meeting. It’s like the point in a movie when the main character encounters someone questionable, the music builds, and your inner voice screams “No-o-o-o!” Nothing terrible happens to the Wise Men, but King Herod lays suspicious groundwork when he invites them to return to him once they discover the child. Thankfully, the Wise Men were willing to hear God speak and re-direct their journey home (Matthew 2:12).

How often do you work and stress trying to figure out answers on your own? Asking questions is a good thing! God didn’t condemn the magi for asking around town, nor did He punish them for seeking answers. God stepped in with a clear view of the star (Matthew 2:9) and then spoke to them in a dream (v12). God will speak what we need to hear; we need to be willing to ask questions and change course if necessary.

Lastly, the Wise Men gave generously and with an attitude of worship.

Christmas and gifts are tied together. In our current culture, gifts too often receive the headline over the celebrating of Christ. The giving of gifts by the magi was an act of reverence, recognizing the One who is greater and wiser (Matthew 2:11). We give gifts to show our friends and family we care for them and love them. The Wise Men teach us we are to celebrate Christ and give Him the best we have to offer. Christmas is an opportunity to worship and honor the One who is Emmanuel, God with us, by gifting Him ourselves. We have nothing more valuable to give than our very lives.

Living Like the Wise Men

The Christmas season has just begun. There are decorations to put up, gifts to purchase, parties to attend, and light displays to ooh and aah over. It’s so easy for us to identify with what the culture says is significant. I’m praying we each remember that we are on a journey to celebrate the One who is wiser. Even while we enjoy all the holiday hoopla, may we remember to be seekers, grasping the truth that Christ is greater than our understanding, offering ourselves in worship and adoration to the King of Kings.

Glorious now behold him arise;
King and God and sacrifice:
Alleluia, Alleluia,
sounds through the earth and skies.


O star of wonder, star of light,
star with royal beauty bright,
westward leading, still proceeding,
guide us to thy perfect light.