Matthew 2:2 “Where is he who has been born king of the Jews? For we saw his star when it rose and have come to worship him.”
In the pre-dawn mornings before Christmas, as I look out the window from my little porch room, I view one of my favorite decorations of the season. Our neighbor, who lives across the field from our house, erects a beautiful single star. It shines clearly over the horizon, cutting through the darkness, preparing me for the day.
Of course, the star is purposed to stir up thoughts of the wise men. The Magi relied on a magnificent star to guide them to Jesus. Although their journey took place over 2,000 years ago, we still sing about their obscure mission. They live on as among the first to pay homage to the newborn king.
But they would never have found him without the star.
I find it interesting that scripture compares believers to stars. Paul says, “Do everything without grumbling or arguing, so that you may become blameless and pure, children of God without fault in a warped and crooked generation. Then you will shine among them like stars in the sky as you hold firmly to the word of life. (Philippians 2:15-16 NIV). Those who follow Jesus become the stars who lead others to him. And the more we hold to his word, the more our light contrasts with the world. Because people who live in darkness will never be able to lead others from darkness to the light.
That’s our job. Our glorious assignment is to shine.
We become that star every time we chose not to grumble and complain, every time we speak words of grace and gratitude. And when we choose the straight pure path of truth.
Some of us might feel like our lights shine pretty dimly. But in the words of the ageless nursery rhyme, go ahead and Twinkle, twinkle little star. We never know how far our small light reaches. Even a tiny flashlight dispels darkness.
So my prayer this Christmas has been, Lord please help me be like my neighbor’s star. Help me shine a little light to those around me. To those living in darkness who need to find the newborn, everlasting King.
May that be your prayer as well.