The Wonder of the Star: Light Breaks Through

The star of Bethlehem was a prophetic sign of wonder to the world that Jesus the savior was born. Today, we still recognize the wonder of the star by placing them on the tops of our Christmas trees and singing joyful carols that recount the story of its light and the three wise men who followed its guiding lead to Bethlehem. But what meaning can the star hold for us today and how can we share it’s message of hope with the world around us?

Over two thousand years ago, against a black Eastern sky, a supernova light burned bright into a dark night signaling the long awaited promise of the new Jewish King. The prophetic star of Bethlehem had finally risen to proclaim it’s destined message, the King is here. The masterful creator would astoundingly become the created Himself. The Star of Bethlehem rose at the perfect appointed time to sing out her cry…“the faithful one has come, He did not leave us or forsake us, He came just like he said he would, just like He planned from the very beginning, like He always would! Come and follow me, I’ll show you the way.”

Three wise men, would seek Jesus’ birth, charting the star’s magnetic light, bearing precious gifts of gold, frankincense, and myrrh, and traveling hundreds of miles to the unsuspecting destination of Bethlehem. The blazing light, guided them, leading them skillfully and purposefully to the Redeemer of all creation. Like a precious gem finally unearthed after years of searching, the impossible was made possible and the word was birthed into flesh and blood, swaddled tightly in a manger, holding the world’s salvation in tiny, holy palms. Did the wise men know that by leaving their earthly home they would find their eternal home? Did the three kings realize that they would soon be meeting the King of Kings under the blaze of a burning star? How could they fathom that their star led journey would be told to a thousand generations across all nations and nationalities?

“It is the glory of God to conceal a matter; to search out a matter is the glory of kings.” Prv. 25:2

In Matthew chapter 2, we see the wise men share their message with a jealous King Herod. But even Herod could not stop the stars from proclaiming their truth because even stars were made to worship the one true King (Ps. 148:3). Despite the enemy’s best efforts, the darkness could not outrun the light and a savior was born.

“The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it.” John 1:5

But today, two thousand years later, we wonder…Where is the star’s brilliant glow now? Has she burned out? Was her job simply fulfilling this one time historic celestial event?
Or does the star’s light actually live on, taking up residence in those who believe in Him, shining brighter than ever, and increasing from glory to glory. An eternal light, the light of the world, Christ Himself, living in us and shining out into a dark and fallen world with the message that the King is here and His Kingdom is at hand.

Perhaps our gifts to Jesus are not expensive metals and exotic spices, but instead are testimonies of His goodness and kindness towards us. Perhaps our willingness to let Jesus Himself shine through us is the greatest gift we can offer a King who already owns it all. Because the star’s message of a newborn savior was never meant to end at the manger, it was only just beginning.

O star of wonder, star of light,
star with royal beauty bright,
westward leading, still proceeding,
guide us to thy perfect light.
https://hymnary.org/text/we_three_kings_of_orient_are