DECEMBER 20TH
The Star of Wonder
Matthew 2:1-10 After Jesus was born in Bethlehem in Judea, during the time of King Herod, Magi from the east came to Jerusalem and asked, “Where is the one who has been born king of the Jews? We saw his star when it rose and have come to worship him.” When King Herod heard this he was disturbed, and all Jerusalem with him. When he had called together all the people’s chief priests and teachers of the law, he asked them where the Messiah was to be born. “In Bethlehem in Judea,” they replied, “for this is what the prophet has written: “‘But you, Bethlehem, in the land of Judah, are by no means least among the rulers of Judah; for out of you will come a ruler who will shepherd my people Israel.’” Then Herod called the Magi secretly and found out from them the exact time the star had appeared. He sent them to Bethlehem and said, “Go and search carefully for the child. As soon as you find him, report to me, so that I too may go and worship him.” After they had heard the king, they went on their way, and the star they had seen when it rose went ahead of them until it stopped over the place where the child was. When they saw the star, they were overjoyed.
According to the best guesses of astronomers, there are one billion trillion stars in the universe. That is the number one with twenty-one zeros after it. There are giant supermassive stars, dying stars, stars that burn red or green, and stars that guide travelers at night. The most famous and celebrated star in all of history is known as the Bethlehem Star. There has never been any other object in the sky that has been the subject of more conversation, study, or celebration than this particular star, especially at Christmas time.
There has been much speculation in the scientific world as to what the star was, especially since it wasn't just mentioned in the Bible but also in Roman historical writings. Some say it was a comet, and others say it was a supernova. Someone creative once said it was an angel with a big flashlight! No matter how it happened, the truth is that we know it was supernatural and guided by the hand of God. Regardless of the scientific description or explanation, the Bethlehem Star has been a 'Star of Wonder' for billions of people throughout history, starting with visitors from the East 2000 years ago. The wise men, or Magi, as they were known, noticed something special about this star. They were known to be experts in the stars and very familiar with the night sky, but the Bethlehem star was so unique that they followed it 550 miles from their homeland. A journey of this length by camel would have taken over a month. They didn't have a map, an address, or even a name or location to help them find the one they were looking for. They were strangers in a strange land, and these wise men would have been hopelessly lost but for the light of that one star.
Think about this: From the time those men left their homes, they couldn't see Jesus. They could only follow the light of the star that led them. If the star had gone dark halfway through their journey, they would have been helpless, like the batteries of a flashlight going out midway through a midnight walk through the woods! If the star had refused to shine, they would have never found Jesus. The only job of that star was to be a light to lead people to Jesus. If you are a follower of Christ, that is your number one job as well. "In the same way, let your light shine before others, that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father who is in heaven" (Matthew 5:16). We reflect the light of Jesus on the world in the way we live, act, and speak. The apostle Paul said it this way: "Be blameless and innocent, children of God without blemish in the midst of a crooked and twisted generation, among whom you shine as lights in the world" (Philippians 2:15). Many of your friends and neighbors are helpless and hopelessly lost because they can't see Jesus. If you refuse to shine, they might never find Him. This Christmas, let your love, life, and service shine for those around you so they will see your light and follow you to Jesus.
There has been much speculation in the scientific world as to what the star was, especially since it wasn't just mentioned in the Bible but also in Roman historical writings. Some say it was a comet, and others say it was a supernova. Someone creative once said it was an angel with a big flashlight! No matter how it happened, the truth is that we know it was supernatural and guided by the hand of God. Regardless of the scientific description or explanation, the Bethlehem Star has been a 'Star of Wonder' for billions of people throughout history, starting with visitors from the East 2000 years ago. The wise men, or Magi, as they were known, noticed something special about this star. They were known to be experts in the stars and very familiar with the night sky, but the Bethlehem star was so unique that they followed it 550 miles from their homeland. A journey of this length by camel would have taken over a month. They didn't have a map, an address, or even a name or location to help them find the one they were looking for. They were strangers in a strange land, and these wise men would have been hopelessly lost but for the light of that one star.
Think about this: From the time those men left their homes, they couldn't see Jesus. They could only follow the light of the star that led them. If the star had gone dark halfway through their journey, they would have been helpless, like the batteries of a flashlight going out midway through a midnight walk through the woods! If the star had refused to shine, they would have never found Jesus. The only job of that star was to be a light to lead people to Jesus. If you are a follower of Christ, that is your number one job as well. "In the same way, let your light shine before others, that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father who is in heaven" (Matthew 5:16). We reflect the light of Jesus on the world in the way we live, act, and speak. The apostle Paul said it this way: "Be blameless and innocent, children of God without blemish in the midst of a crooked and twisted generation, among whom you shine as lights in the world" (Philippians 2:15). Many of your friends and neighbors are helpless and hopelessly lost because they can't see Jesus. If you refuse to shine, they might never find Him. This Christmas, let your love, life, and service shine for those around you so they will see your light and follow you to Jesus.