5 hours Ago By By Troy Fitzgerald
Why do we call celebrities “stars?” It’s an interesting idea. Stars are bright, distant, and almost magical — too far away to truly reach. Celebrities are often treated the same way: admired from a distance, unapproachable, and seemingly larger than life.
Hollywood reinforces this idea with its Walk of Fame, placing celebrity names on star-shaped plaques, as if they are celestial beings. But the truth is, celebrities are human, just like us. They get the flu, wrestle with sadness, and search for meaning.
Even Brad Pitt, one of Hollywood’s most recognizable stars, once confessed in a Rolling Stone interview that fame often leads to “a numbing of the soul” and “atrophy of the spiritual being.” Despite all his success, he admitted he couldn’t solve the deeper problem of what he called humanity’s “congenital sadness.” Pitt’s honesty is a reminder that no amount of fame or fortune can fill the deepest human need.
Stars, whether celestial or on the Walk of Fame, may shine for a time, but they are not the answer we seek. This brings us to a very different kind of star — the one that led the Magi to Bethlehem. The birth of Jesus was marked by incredible, celestial moments: angels appeared, divine dreams guided people, and a star led seekers to the Savior.
The story of the Magi is a powerful reminder that God’s call isn’t limited by culture, distance, or expectations. These wise men, likely scholars or scientists from the East, noticed a new star in the sky. For them, it wasn’t just an astronomical event — it was a promise.
They didn’t view it as a random phenomenon to study, but as an invitation to embark on a journey of faith. They weren’t casual stargazers; they were determined seekers. Their goal wasn’t knowledge or curiosity — it was to find someone.
And when they found Him, their response was simple and profound: worship. The star didn’t lead them to a palace or a grand throne. It brought them to a humble home in Bethlehem, where they found a child with His mother, Mary.
This ordinary yet extraordinary moment fulfilled everything they had been seeking. Overwhelmed with joy, they bowed down in worship. The Magi’s journey wasn’t about solving a mystery or cracking a code.
It was about faith. They didn’t rely on formulas or perfect knowledge; they relied on trust. In today’s world, where we often demand explanations and proof, their story reminds us that some truths can’t be calculated — they must be embraced.
The Magi weren’t seeking answers; they were seeking the Savior. And their journey ended not with information, but with joy and worship. What do you see when you look at the stars? Like the Magi, you might feel overwhelmed by the vastness of the universe.
There are too many stars to count and too much mystery to comprehend. Yet, the story of the Magi invites us to welcome those moments when God interrupts our lives. It reminds us that He often guides us in unexpected ways, leading us to something far greater than we imagined — Himself.
The Magi’s journey wasn’t about the star itself; it was about the promise it represented. Their story challenges us to stop being distracted by the ordinary and start looking for the extraordinary. It calls us to respond to God’s call with joy and worship, just as they did.
Unlike celebrities, who often distract us with their fame, the Magi point us to something real. They were not famous; they were faithful. They followed a real star and found themselves in a quiet neighborhood in Bethlehem, face to face with the Savior of the world.
Their story also reminds us of how many missed that moment. Even with all the religious knowledge and traditions about the coming Messiah, few were seeking. To truly seek requires more than a fleeting thought; it takes determination.
May their story inspire us to seek, to trust, and to worship. Troy Fitzgerald Wenatchee Seventh-day Adventist Church pastor Troy Fitzgerald is the pastor at the Wenatchee Seventh-day Adventist Church..
