There are many symbols that compete for supremacy at Christmas: The Nativity, The Evergreen Tree, Santa Cap, and more. Perhaps one of the more overlooked Xmas symbols is The Star of Bethlehem, the star that led three Magi to find Jesus:
“When they saw the star, they rejoiced exceedingly with great joy. And going into the house, they saw the child with Mary his mother, and they fell down and worshiped him. Then, opening their treasures, they offered him gifts, gold and frankincense and myrrh.” (Matthew 2:9-11)
The star directed The Magi to exactly where Jesus, Mary, and Joseph where. The the star was foretold in the Old Testament,
“I see him, but not now; I behold him, but not near: a star shall come out of Jacob, and a scepter shall rise out of Israel; it shall crush the forehead of Moab and break down all the sons of Sheth.” (Numbers 24:17). It is interesting one of Jesus titles is morning star, “I, Jesus, have sent my angel to testify to you about these things for the churches. I am the root and the descendant of David, the bright morning star,” (Revelation 22:19).
The fact a star was used to direct men from the East to find the Lord Jesus is intriguing. That God commanded this star to lead the Magi and point to where His Son was is a major move in the heavens, so much so that I can only quickly recall such major moves in the heavens in the Old Testament when God stopped the sun for Joshua, and the plague of three days of darkness in Egypt. We are told in the eschatological passages of the Bible there will likewise be signs in the heavens:
“And then at last, the sign that the Son of Man is coming will appear in the heavens, and there will be deep mourning among all the peoples of the earth. And they will see the Son of Man coming on the clouds of heaven with power and great glory.” (Matthew 24:30) and “I looked when He (the Lamb) broke open the sixth seal, and there was a great earthquake; and the sun became black as sackcloth [made] of hair, and the whole moon became like blood, and the stars in the sky fell to earth, as figs drop from a fig tree when shaken by a strong wind” (Revelation 6:12-13).
It is clear then when God is up to something big he uses the heavens to show signs and direct us to know it is happening.
The Star of Bethlehem heralded Christ’s first coming, and likewise signs in the heavens, even falling stars will herald His Second Coming. Thus the Star of Bethlehem is an appropriate symbol for the Parousia (Coming) of Christ!
The Evergreen Tree tends to get all the attention, but it was a star that led wise men to see the infant Christ! That God directed men with the cosmos is not insignificant. For they brought gifts of gold, frankincense, and myrrh. All of which were of great value to help the Holy Family get to Egypt and live there and hide from Herod’s wrath. We have to remember Mary was shunned and ostracized, her family even so rejected her which is evidenced by bo room at the inn, in Bethlehem, Mary is a descendant of David (Luke 3:31), Bethlehem was David’s City, and so Mary had kin in the city who chose to let her give birth on the street! Or well the stable in this case. The Almighty took cars of Mary, Joseph, and His Son Jesus, sending Magi to give them gifts that would take care of their needs. All this led by a star that God appointed to show the Wise Men the way to The Child. Amen.
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