Sometimes the big news story of the day is not the one we think it is—or there is more to it than we realize.

As Jesus was born, something else was also happening far away. Matthew tells us about “Magi from the east”—often called “wise men”—who studied the stars. The Magi were astrologers, religious leaders who believed that the movement of the stars and special signs in the heavens could give direction for people’s lives.

To the Jews, that kind of study was superstitious idolatry. And yet we see in this story how God was writing an even bigger story than people were aware of at the time. Jesus was, of course, Israel’s promised Savior. But today we can also see that Christ’s birth was a crucial part of God’s plan to draw all nations to himself. Even people who were lost in the confusion of sin and idolatry could see glimpses of God’s invitation to draw near and ask, seek, and find him. In the story of the Magi we see how God can meet us where we are—no matter who we are—and make the good news of Jesus’ birth come alive for us.

This Christmas, we might think (or act as if) our celebrations and gifts are the main thing of the season. But God wants so much more. He wants to draw people to Jesus, especially those who don’t know him.

How is God surprising you with that invitation this Christmas?