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Community invited to follow in Magi’s footsteps, ‘Follow the Star'
What started out as an off-hand comment from a friend has become a labor of love for a Greencastle couple this Christmas season.
Vic and Linda Hunter are inviting community members to travel as Magi on the road to find the Christ Child from now through Jan. 6.
The Hunters have turned their Airy Knob Farm in southwestern Greencastle Township into a light show that tells the Christmas story based on the biblical narrative from the gospels of Matthew and Luke.
The journey is free, but does require reservations at www.follow-the-star.org/.
For the Hunters, getting to this point has been a journey all its own.
Last Christmas, Allison Leer had a light show at her house with the Hunters as her guests. At that time, she suggested that they do something on their own farm.
“I didn’t have much desire to do a secular light show with Santa Claus and candy canes,” Vic Hunter said.
However, Hunter continued to research and in calling a light dealer in Kansas City, he happened to catch the owner, who gave him some advice.
“She said, ‘You might think about doing something bigger,’” Hunter recalled, ‘“but make it more of a journey than just a scene.’”
What followed was more than two months of planning and other people coming on board. DePauw University production designer Duane Skoog has helped with design and really bringing the story to life. Retired DePauw music professor Eric Edberg is in charge of music. Pastor Nathan Couch of Bethel Baptist Church has recorded the narrations. DePauw physics professor Howard Brooks is using a weather balloon to keep a star suspended high in the air above the manger scene. Vincent Aguirre of Distinct Web Design has designed the website and is promoting the event.
“There’s about 20 people who have really put themselves into this,” Hunter said.
The Hunters have purchased 50-some light elements — think angels, shepherds, wise men and various animals — to illuminate the various scenes on the journey to Bethlehem.
But it’s about a lot more than seeing some pretty lights, at least that’s Hunter’s vision. It’s about getting inside the story, actually becoming Magi.
After Jesus was born, the wise men, or Magi, came to look for Him. What we would today call astrologers, the Magi followed the patterns of stars systematically. They were very rich and held in high esteem by their own society and those in other countries, cultures and religions.
When they noticed an unusual new star in the sky, they journeyed to Israel, knowing it foretold the birth of a special king.
“They were sent to find the Christ Child, and this was probably a life-or-death situation,” Hunter said.
Along the journey around Airy Knob, which takes an estimated hour and 10 minutes, travelers follow several numbered Moravian stars that summon them to their next destination.
At one particular stop after meeting the shepherds who visited Jesus on the night of his birth but before reaching Jerusalem, travelers will stop at an altar where they will learn about receiving blessings. At this stop, the Magi are encouraged to take a coin to later provide as a blessing to the Christ Child.
After encountering King Herod, travelers will eventually make their way to Bethlehem, where they will be invited into the home of Joseph, Mary and Jesus, with the chance to share a blessing not only with Jesus, but with one another.
Upon depositing a coin for Jesus, the Magi may take a card with a blessing (as well as small stars for the kids) to then be shared with family and companions.
“The idea is that Christ shared this blessing with you, and hopefully now you will share that blessing with your kids or grandkids or companions,” Hunter said. “With COVID, we really aren’t apt to share in relationships the way we used to, but sharing blessings is really foundational.”
Following the visit to Christ’s house, the travelers are in for a couple more surprises, including the final stop on the journey — “the King’s seat” — a spot in front of the Hunters’ home were you can seen pretty much the entire journey to that point.
“This is the spot where you can see the story,” Hunter said. “This is the way you can really contemplate what you’ve been through in the last hour. I think people will hang out here for a little while.”
“Follow the Star” is a half-mile walk over uneven and hilly ground. A weekly bus drive-through tour is also available for those who do not feel comfortable with the walk.
Rather than have attendees park at the farm and navigate the turn into the driveway on a busy corner of Manhattan Road, the Hunters are actually utilizing bus service from the south lot of Phoenix Closures, 2000 S. Jackson St., Greencastle.
“Follow the Star” is open to individuals, families or groups for tours. To learn more, visit www.follow-the-star.org/.
