Stars feature prominently throughout the Christmas season. As symbols they remind us of God’s promise to Abraham, of the star of David symbol of Israel, but most of all, we think of the special star in the sky marking the Savior’s birth.
Matthew 2: 9,10
And behold, the star that they had seen when it rose went before them until it came to rest over the place where the child was. When they saw the star, they rejoiced exceedingly with great joy
Stars have been guides for travelers on land and sea, and the Star of Bethlehem guides our eyes to the event of Jesus’ birth, just as it guided the wisemen.
Ever since, the Christmas star has been an element in our celebration.
The star of light represents hopes, wisemen following a sign in hope of seeing the foretold Messiah.
It represents God’s care and faithfulness, guiding those who seek to the very place where the baby Jesus is to be found.
And in our minds, the symbol of the star means our wishes and hopes are possible.
Maybe that is why Christmas decor sprinkles stars throughout the house and landscape. Lighted stars on housetops, gleaming stars on the Christmas tree, as ornaments, reminding us of that first significant guiding star that led the wise men to the fulfillment of their long journey.
In The Dark Night
The light of a star shining brightly in the night sky fills us with wonder. It reminds us how very small we are in the universe.
I think that might be one of the reasons, God has connected the view of a star with the promise He gives: A sign of how important we are in the vastness of creation. It takes faith to look up into the far reaches of space with its swirls of worlds and solar systems and take hold of the idea that in all that, we matter.
The Spotlight
In the “fulness of time”, God shone a starlit spotlight onto a tiny baby in an inconsequential little village, in an obscure part of the world, and in the most humble of corners of that place.
If it hadn’t been for the prophecies and the star, would it have been believed?
We find the wisemen brought rich gifts and gave worship, and we can only marvel that God could bring together elements in such a way as to reveal how greatly he loves us. Above all, Jesus is God’s unequivocal message of love.
Psalm 8:3-4 ESV
When I look at your heavens, the work of your fingers, the moon and the stars, which you have set in place, what is man that you are mindful of him, and the son of man that you care for him?
Carols:
We Three Kings
Oh Little Town Of Bethlehem
Oh Holy Night
