Star Witness
by Dave Herrin

The Mage mapped and marveled at the stars,
Their questions probed beyond the earthly sphere.
grown too big for Persian ways, their minds,
nurtured by the stars, soared to find
a stellar path to worship a worthy God.

It must have been a brilliant star
that rose that night – a star more bright
than all the rest, that made them stare
and check their well-worn astral maps,
no magi had ever witness such a sight.

Surely Herod must have marveled when
they asked where the King of Jews was born –
they said no common king deserved their gold.
So subtly Herod hid his jealous rage
and vainly asked them to return.

But on the road to Bethlehem when the sun
laid down to rest, the star arose
to escort them with its graceful light,
then slowed an stopped to cast a glow
upon the house where Mary rocked the Child.

And when the caravan arrived
and camels laid their weary heads to rest,
and Magi opened and arrayed their gifts,
how did this little face reflect that light,
what made them bow their heads with joy?

I wonder if that star possessed a special shape,
I wonder if it formed a cross that beamed
two rays: one to God and one to all
mankind – a silent witness like the one
at the end, they nailed him and his sign:
‘This is the King of the Jews.’
This is the King of kings.