Shining Star
When they saw the star, they were overjoyed. Matthew 2:10
When the wise men saw the star, They were overcome with joy! They traveled many miles To see the baby boy. When they came upon the house Where the holy family dwelt, They presented the babe with gifts, While with humble hearts they knelt. Today we need to be that star Shining all year long, Guiding others to the Lord; Let His light in you shine on!
Overjoyed! That’s pretty much how I feel throughout the Christmas season. There’s so much cause for joy during this time. It starts with pulling out the decorations, and the joy each item brings as memories flood in about them. The joy of wearing Christmas attire. The joy of finding a Christmas card from friends and family in the mail. The joy of walking around the neighborhood and seeing beautiful light displays. The joy of wrapping gifts as I pray over the friends and families they are for. The joy of singing familiar Christmas songs and discovering new ones each year! The joy of having loved ones home for the holidays. Christmas is full of joy and anticipation as we move towards the big day!
But there’s a deeper joy that Christmas brings. The joy of celebrating the birthday of our Savior, Jesus Christ. Joy to the world, the Lord is come! His birth gave joy to many people, and among them were the wise men. (When they saw the star, they were overjoyed. Matthew 2:10) I find it interesting that even though they did not worship the God of the Hebrews, upon seeing the star they were overcome with joy. They were familiar with basic Jewish traditions and prophecies, and knew the Jews were awaiting a Messiah. I believe God prepared their hearts to receive the star as a sign of the birth of the King of the Jews. Being learned men, they followed the star to seek out the infant king. I imagine joy and anticipation was felt throughout their journey to Bethlehem.
The star changed the lives of the magi. After following it to Bethlehem, they visited the home of Joseph and Mary. Upon seeing Jesus, they humbled themselves to worship Him. (And going into the house, they saw the child with Mary His mother, and they fell down and worshiped Him. Matthew 2:11) Had they not been star gazers, would they have noticed the star? God used what was familiar to them to get their attention. Once they recognized the worth of Christ, they were obedient to God and avoided returning to Herod. (And being warned in a dream not to return to Herod, they departed to their own country by another way. Matthew 2:12) We can only specualate the rest of the story of their lives, but God had made Himself known to them. They are an important part of the Christmas story because it shows that God came to save us all, not just the Jews.
God is still making an impact through the Christmas story. It’s one of the few times during the year that the gospel is heard on various forms of mainstream media. We can talk openly about Jesus, and many hearts are ready to receive Him. Although there is not a star guiding people to Jesus today, He uses us to be like that star. We shine His light through acts of kindness. We shine His light when we help the needy. We shine His light when we feed the poor. We shine His light when we visit the sick. These actions of love point others to God. (For I was hungry and you gave me food, I was thirsty and you gave me drink, I was a stranger and you welcomed me, I was naked and you clothed me, I was sick and you visited me, I was in prison and you came to me.’ Matthew 25: 35. 36)
As you move through this glorious season, be that shining star to others pointing them to the King of Kings, the Lord of Lords, the Prince of Peace. Let His light shine on!
Lord, thank you for humbling Yourself and coming down to earth as an infant. Thank you for the star that was a beacon calling out to the magi. Help me to be like that star, guiding others to You, not just during the Christmas season, but throughout the coming year. Amen