We saw the star in the East, and we came to worship him (Matthew 2:2)
The evangelist, Matthew, mentions a “star of Bethlehem”, which was seen by wise Magi “from the east” and who described it as the “star of him” of the new “born king of the Jews” (Matthew 2:2). This event became the occasion for their trip to Bethlehem but also for the conclusions of the message and the symbolism that came from “his star”.
In the tradition of the East, the star seen by the Magi is considered a natural event but also as an extraordinary miraculous and supernatural sign of God. The appearance of the star is interpreted as the appearance of an angel or as an appearance of Christ himself. This interpretation is related to what the Old Testament says about the Star that will rise from Jacob (Numbers 24:17).
The appearance of the magnificent star leads the Magi from the East and the shepherds of Bethlehem to the birthplace of a new king. This is the Almighty God, who miraculously enters human history. The Magi and the shepherds meet the Great King in the face of an infant who was born in a cave, a stable for animals. The message is clear. God comes not with noise and fanfare but with simplicity and humility. His power is infinite Love. In the manger of the infant Christ, the Jews are united with the Gentiles. A new people who, guided by Christ, walk to meet God the Father.
The bright star, symbol of the epiphany and presence of the Saviour Christ, leads all of us Christians, the new people of God, to a new reality of life. In the kingdom of Divine Love, Christ respects our freedom and loves us despite our insentient behaviour. He is always ready to answer our cry for help, and to guide our hesitant and uncertain steps through all the obstacles that stand in our way. He respects us as his equals. His highest will is to see us in eternity, truly as equals, friends and brothers, and sons of the Father.
This is the message that the bright and shining star addresses to all of us Christians. First, a message of unity. Dialogue, reconciliation and peace-building between the various Christian communities is not only a wish but an urgent need, even if it seems a long and difficult process. The arduous path to unity is illuminated by faith, perseverance and hope.
Secondly, a message of experiencing the Christian life. Christianity is a journey. The Magi traveled to the place where the Star led them. We Christians follow the bright and shining star, Christ, in a path of faith, love, justice and peace. In this journey we, as Christians, bear witness to the salvation we have experienced through Christ. We work humbly for justice and peace. We are not
hiding in the safety of our local religious communities, but having the Mystery of God alive before us we feel ready to come out of ourselves and serve our fellow human beings and the whole creation.
Following Christ is our new path, and in a volatile and changing world Christians must remain as fixed and determined as the constellations and the shining planets. But what does this mean in practice? Serving the Gospel today requires a commitment to defending human dignity, especially in the poorest, the weakest and those marginalised. It requires from the churches transparency and accountability in dealing with the world, and with each other. This means Churches need to cooperate to provide relief to the afflicted, to welcome the displaced, to relieve the burdened, and to build a just and honest society. This is a call for Churches to work together so that young people can build a future that accords to God’s heart, a future in which all human beings can experience life, peace, justice, and love. The new way between the Churches is the way of visible unity that we sacrificially seek with courage and audacity so that, day after day, “God may be all in all” (1 Corinthians 15:28).
As Christians living in the Far East, we have our faces turned to the light of the Bright Star, Christ. We unite our prayers so that Christ “as a morning star rises and lights our hearts” (2 Peter 1:19).
• Diocesan Ecumenical Commission of the Hong Kong Catholic Church
• The Ecumenical Patriarchate Orthodox Metropolitanate of Hong Kong and South East Asia
• Church Unity and Relations Committee Hong Kong Christian Council
January 2022
