Not Just Any Star, “The” Star
How bright was the Star of Bethlehem?
Have you ever thought about that?
Sometimes I wonder what could come close to it in our modern times.
The first thing that came to mind was a supermoon.
In fact, my husband and I were driving home recently and a supermoon was rising above the horizon.
We couldn’t help but notice.
It was beautiful and full.
It was so big it looked like you could stand out in that field and touch it.
Photo from Pixabay, loggawiggler
. . . which brings me back to the Star of Bethlehem.
On that blessed night, a multitude of angels praising God announced to the lowly shepherds that the Savior, Christ the Lord, had been born. The shepherds immediately headed to the City of David to see God’s miracle for themselves.
When the angels went away from them into heaven, the shepherds said to one another, “Let us go over to Bethlehem and see this thing that has happened, which the Lord has made known to us.” – Luke 2:15, (ESV).1
In another account, the Book of Matthew describes the magi from the east planning their own long journey to Bethlehem, hundreds of miles away.
The appearance of the Christmas Star rising up in the sky was unlike anything they had ever seen before. This was not just any star, but “the” star.
They spoke with King Herod.
2saying, “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.” – Matthew 2:2, (ESV).2
We know from the biblical account that God warned them that the jealous and evil King Herod intended to kill the Christ Child.
They decided to make the trip but reject the king’s request for an exact location of the child upon their return.
After hearing the king, they went on their way; and behold, the star, which they had seen in the east, went on ahead of them until it came to a stop over the place where the Child was to be found. – Matthew 2:9, (NASB).3
Did you catch that?
“. . . and behold, the star. . . . ”
Not just any star, but “The” Star.
This star from God led them to the exact location where they could find the Christ Child.
Not Just Any Star: God’s Star
The Star of Bethlehem was set into place by God Our Creator to lead the magi to Jesus.
Once they arrived, they celebrated.
When they saw the star, they rejoiced exceedingly with great joy. – Matthew 2:10, (NASB)4
Just as the Star of Bethlehem – God’s star – led the magi to the Christ Child, Jesus leads believers in our fallen world to eternity with Him.
Like the magi in ancient Biblical times, we too have reason to rejoice with great joy.
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1 Scripture quotation is from the New American Standard Bible (NASB) Copyright © 1960, 1962, 1963, 1968, 1971, 1972, 1973, 1975, 1977, 1995 by The Lockman Foundation.
2 Scripture quotation is from the New American Standard Bible (NASB) Copyright © 1960, 1962, 1963, 1968, 1971, 1972, 1973, 1975, 1977, 1995 by The Lockman Foundation.
3 Scripture quotation is from the New American Standard Bible (NASB) Copyright © 1960, 1962, 1963, 1968, 1971, 1972, 1973, 1975, 1977, 1995 by The Lockman Foundation.
4 Scripture quotation is from the New American Standard Bible (NASB) Copyright © 1960, 1962, 1963, 1968, 1971, 1972, 1973, 1975, 1977, 1995 by The Lockman Foundation.
