9 After they had heard the king, they went on their way, and the star they had seen when it rose went ahead of them until it stopped over the place where the child was. 10 When they saw the star, they were overjoyed. 11 On coming to the house, they saw the child with his mother Mary, and they bowed down and worshiped him. Then they opened their treasures and presented him with gifts of gold, frankincense and myrrh. Matthew 2:9-11

By the time the Magi set out to find Jesus (from King Herod), Jesus had already been born. Mary and Joseph must have taken up residence in a house in Bethlehem. The Magi, however, followed the star right to the house. They knew right where to go. There was no mistaking the destination.

Thirty years ago I had a conversation with an adult Scout leader about his Eagle Scout badge, the top honor a Boy Scout can achieve. I asked him whether he told people about the honor. Chuck’s words still resonate with me today, “If people can’t tell I’m an Eagle Scout by what I do, I’m probably not living up to the ideals of an Eagle Scout.”

Back to the story, the star shone bright over Mary and Joseph’s house for the Magi. They knew right where to go.

What about today? How is the light within us pointing the way to Christ? Is the light obvious? How bright is it? What would you need to do to shine brightly again?

Your eye is the lamp of your body. When your eyes are healthy, your whole body also is full of light. But when they are unhealthy, your body also is full of darkness. Luke 11:34