Advent Astrology Devotional: Why We Follow the Stars in Advent
Greetings Starpal!
Sarah here. Many of you have at least one toe in two worlds: the Christian one and the astrological one. But many of us have a much firmer foot in one than the other.
Astrology enthusiasts may wonder, why would I engage in a Christian tradition in the run-up to Santa Day? Christians may wonder why Advent is such an auspicious time to consult the sky’s wisdom with so much bustling preparation already underway. Either way, Lindsey and I are thrilled to entice you to this intersection, because it ignited our working partnership.
Though the Christian scriptures are full of references to the work of astrologers, a respected profession woven into the daily lives of most first century earthlings and taken for granted by early Christians. No references are more central to the Christian story than the story of the Magi, whose astrological research led them to predict the birth of a new King of the Jewish people, and begin a pilgrimage to find him.
This horoscope rattled King Herod and set in motion many central events of Jesus’ birth. Matthew’s gospel is careful to note that Herod was working with both the stars’ patterns and the Hebrew scriptures to reach this prediction, arranging a meet-up between astrologers, chief priests, and scribes to consult the prophet Micah to pinpoint the location of Bethlehem. It is Herod who directs the Wisdom Givers to Bethlehem, where they bring him lavish gifts fit for royalty, gracing all our nativity sets and creches with camels and men in colorful robes and crowns.
The Magi and Joseph both receive wisdom in their dreams not to return to Herod, who realized he was being dodged and began a massacre of Bethlehem’s babies and toddlers to try and stop the astrological and prophetic promise from reaching fruition. Thanks to our astrologers, our prophets, and Mary and Joseph’s spiritual grounding, the promise of stars and scripture became our Christmas story! On January 6th, we celebrate the Epiphany, specially set aside to commemorate these astrologers, their pilgrimage, and their recognition of this incredible new person who they believed would be a light to the world.
Following the stars during Advent is joining in the pilgrimage to Bethlehem.
Two thousand years later, as the light grows darker in the northern hemisphere, the stars take up more stage space in our days and nights, pleading with us to remember they still hold wisdom for us. Some of us are cultural Christians, raised in communities that likely minimized their ancient trust in astrology for farming, traveling, and even predictive work like the prophecy of Jesus’ birth. Some of us are looking to infuse our family’s traditions with new meaning, bringing the best of scripture and starlight to these dark days.
Lindsey and I invite you to make pilgrimage with us this Advent. We will follow the stories unfolding to Jesus’ birth and the way the stars reflect these stories back to us through the ever-changing, ever-intersecting, ever-in-motion planets in the night sky. This has reignited our spirits as pastors, and we want you to join in for our fifth year this Sagittarian season.
With love and devotion,
Sarah and Lindsey