Anyone familiar with the Christmas story will be aware of the three Magi who followed the star they had seen in the East. What is the relevance of their story for us? Remember, in the ancient world travelers navigated their journeys via the stars which functioned as their GPS system. Still deeper, our ancestors located the stars in “the heavens.” The meaning of all of this is clear: the Christmas spirit is an invitation to navigate our lives not by political ideology, materialistic science, or cultural fads, but according to the North Star, which is heaven’s highest wisdom. We follow our inner North Star not by doing what is easy or expedient, but by organizing our lives around what is most meaningful. Ultimately, navigating life is all about listening to our soul’s most interior voice. We don’t have to do this perfectly. The magi took a wrong turn when they sought direction from King Herod, the corrupt puppet king of the Roman Empire. Yet like us, they learned from their mistakes. Initially, we all stumble toward the light, but we are still moving in the right direction, and the light gets clearer and clearer. I invite you to take a new look at some words from an old song:
When you wish upon a star
Your dreams come true.
