Star of Wonder

Star of Wonder

By Touching Lives

“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.’” Matthew 2:1-2

Scientists estimate that when you add up all of the stars in all of the galaxies there are one billion trillion stars. Of all the billion trillion stars out there, without a doubt, the most famous and the most celebrated astronomical entity in history is what is known as the “Bethlehem Star.” No other celestial object has been talked about more, studied about more and celebrated more by the world than this star…particularly at Christmas time.

The Bethlehem Star is everywhere. You see it as the crowning glory of many Christmas trees. Its image is embossed on Christmas cards. It is always figured in any nativity set or play. Many Christmas carols are all about the Star. When you sing the song, “We Three Kings of Orient Are,” you are actually singing to the Bethlehem Star. The lyrics read:

“O Star of wonder, star of night,

Star with royal beauty bright;

Westward leading, still proceeding,

Guide us to thy Perfect Light.”

Why is this Star so prominent? Why is it that billions of people around the world consider it a Star of Wonder? Amazingly, it is only talked about once in the Bible in a story that revolves around the Magi, or Wise Men. These men were star experts. They knew there was something special about this particular Star. Notice that in Matthew 2:2 they called it “His star,” meaning Christ’s star. This Star led them to the child they knew was King of the Jews. It led them to the One they wanted to worship.

“The heavens declare the glory of God; the skies proclaim the work of His hands. Day after day they pour forth speech; night after night they reveal knowledge. They have no speech, they use no words; no sound is heard from them. Yet their voice goes out into all the earth, their words to the ends of the world.” Psalm 19:1-4a

For the Magi, the Star of Bethlehem was a means to an end. They didn’t want to worship the Star, they wanted to bow to the One to whom the Star pointed. This Star was the greatest birth announcement in human history.

Father, Thank You for Your Perfect Light – Jesus Christ. Help me to remember, each time I look at the stars in the sky, that Jesus is the greatest gift I will ever receive. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.