Seeker of Stars

Kathy and I have collected Christmas books for many years. I haven't counted them, but it takes a couple of boxes to put them away each year when we take down our Christmas decorations. I love re-reading many of the stories each year as we celebrate the coming of the Christ Child. We've already added to our collection this year. I wanted to tell you about one of these books, because you may want to add it to your Christmas reading. The book is titled Seeker of Stars, by Susan Fish. It's a fictional story based on the astronomers that traveled from the east to seek the new King. She tells the story of Melchior, who she describes as coming from a family of rug makers and rug merchants. An unfortunate accident ends Melchior's career as a rug maker and begins his lifelong dream to be an astronomer. 

In chapter 16, titled Wonders, the author tells of the astronomers being guided to a little house by a "moving star" that stops over the humble home. They aren't sure of who or what they are looking for. All they know is that the ancient prophecies foretell a child, a King. As they discover they are in the right place, the author writes, An incredible story poured forth, one that made ours sound commonplace. Angel visitations, virgin fullness, joy and sorrow, dreams and resolutions, promises, panic and pain-a child-squalor and shepherds, glory and - "God," the woman said, forming the sound lovingly, reverently. "God chose me." A giggle escaped her lips, a spring of joy bubbling from a hidden source. "My child is his own." I was confused, (this is Melchior thinking) unsure how this tale of wonders connected with our journey. We were seeking a king, not a carpenter's miracle son. "We are seeking the king of the Jews," I explained. I gestured around me. "Your child-can he be-he cannot be-the king of the Jews?" Joseph looked deeply at me with long-suffering eyes. "Our people have waited a long time for a Savior to come. God acts in ways we cannot understand, but our child is indeed his Son."

Susan Fish writes some things about Mary and Joseph that I have always felt to be true. They knew exactly what was happening to them. They had both had miraculous visitations prior to Mary's pregnancy, and I believe that the presence of God was with them throughout the entire nine months, particularly as they approached the birth of the Christ Child. As you read this book, it will make you stop and think about aspects of the story that you may not have considered before. If you need some inspiration this year to truly engage again with Emmanuel, (God with us), perhaps this very readable story will help. The publisher is David C. Cook. Merry Christmas...