By that Singular Star - Poem by Raymond A. Foss

Guided by the start, at its rising,
at the moment of his birth
a singular star, blazing with the Creator’s joy
the birthing of His Son, incarnate God
Emmanuel, God with us

A star to ponder, to follow,
to seek out the epiphany of the prophesy
the fulfillment of God’s holy promise
to the people, the root of Jesse
the stump will bring forth a Savior
a King for the Jews

And so they came, with treasures of old
worthy gifts for the baby King
Gold, and frankincense and myrrh
royal, birth, and burial, watchwords
for His life, His sacrifice, His descent

But a star at its rising, ascending as He would
high in the heavens, a light to guide the way
And so they came, the wise men from the East
foreigners, Gentiles, who, unlike the Chosen ones
understood who he was, even before His birth

November 15, 2007
Matthew 2:1-12

In the time of King Herod, after Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judea, wise men from the East came to Jerusalem, asking, “Where is the child who has been born king of the Jews? For we observed his star at its rising, and have come to pay him homage.” When King Herod heard this, he was frightened, and all Jerusalem with him; and calling together all the chief priests and scribes of the people, he inquired of them where the Messiah was to be born. They told him, “In Bethlehem of Judea; for so it has been written by the prophet: ‘And you, Bethlehem, in the land of Judah, are by no means least among the rulers of Judah; for from you shall come a ruler who is to shepherd my people Israel.’” Then Herod secretly called for the wise men and learned from them the exact time when the star had appeared. Then he sent them to Bethlehem, saying, “Go and search diligently for the child; and when you have found him, bring me word so that I may also go and pay him homage.” When they had heard the king, they set out; and there, ahead of them, went the star that they had seen at its rising, until it stopped over the place where the child was. When they saw that the star had stopped, they were overwhelmed with joy. On entering the house, they saw the child with Mary his mother; and they knelt down and paid him homage. Then, opening their treasure chests, they offered him gifts of gold, frankincense, and myrrh. And having been warned in a dream not to return to Herod, they left for their own country by another road.