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If
you are familiar with the Gospel narrative depicting the supernatural
guidance of the very first worshippers of the Christ-child to the
manger scene, then you know that it was by means of a star that God
chose to accomplish this little pilgrimage:
Now when Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judaea in the days of Herod the king, behold, there came wise men from the east to Jerusalem, saying, Where is he that is born King of the Jews? for we have seen his star in the east, and are come to worship him. Then Herod, when he had privily called the wise men, enquired of them diligently what time the star appeared. When they had heard the king, they departed; and, lo, the star, which they saw in the east, went before them, till it came and stood over where the young child was. When they saw the star, they rejoiced with exceeding great joy. - Matthew 2:2,7,9-10 A star is a heavenly body that normally is perceived to be a bearer of light. People throughout the ages have looked upon stars as a source of meaning for their own lives and their destinies. Those who fall into the category of astrologers and soothsayers devoutly study these celestial bodies from a mystical and magical standpoint. The Bible however, warns against doing such things. Yet, there is the mention of a unique star in the narrative of the birth of the Lord found in the Scriptures. More accurately, there is the mention of 2 stars. One is the celestial body, which was God-prepared to lead a select group of worshippers on that first Christmas to the Christ-Child in the manger at the inn. The Other One is the Lord Himself. Jesus is referred to as the Star of Jacob or Israel even back in the Old Testament: I shall see him, but not now: I shall behold him, but not nigh: there shall come a Star out of Jacob , and a Sceptre shall rise out of Israel, - Numbers 24:17 The
first star was a temporary, physical manifestation blazing the
trail to the manger for a few folk. During the night on that first, Christmas celebration, the Shepherds were suddenly visited by an angel. They were told that God’s Glory was presently manifested in the form of a baby in swaddling clothes lying in a manger. This was none other than the inimitable, Incarnation of the Second Person of the Godhead. His Divine Design was being fulfilled in that very hour and these now informed shepherds ran to the Glorious sight of the Godly, Gentle Babe in swaddling clothes, just as they were told. The
Doctrine:
Glory, Joy, and Consolation The
Application: The
Star of Jacob brings Light or God’s
Glory into our lives.
And there were in the same country shepherds abiding in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night. And, lo, the angel of the Lord came upon them, and the glory of the Lord shone round about them: and they were sore afraid. And the angel said unto them, Fear not: for, behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people. For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord. And this shall be a sign unto you; Ye shall find the babe wrapped in swaddling clothes, lying in a manger. And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God, and saying, Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men. Luke 2:8-14 The appearance of Jesus was indeed quite Glorious. Sometimes the naked eye cannot take in all the brilliance of some of the dazzling displays of God’s handiwork in the Heavens. This is true even when observing them from a distance with the aid of a complicated telescope. The eye of faith, however, can see the Star of Jacob, Jesus in all His Glory and reflect it to others as well! Jesus is the full expression of the Glory of God in human form. Does God’s Glory reflect well in your person, beloved? Can folks see that Bright and Morning Star, Jesus Christ in you? You can elect to walk about carnally in the mist of darkness blinded by your own self-importance and unbelief and mischief and unrighteous and perverted ways like Elymas the Sorcerer, not seeing the Light at all (Acts 13:8-11)
Or, you can shine the light of Jesus
the Saviour and bring others out of from under the bondage of darkness
to Him.
For
God, who commanded the light to shine out of darkness, hath shined
in our hearts, to give the light of
the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ. Devout Simeon was a godly individual who was filled the message of the Glory of Christmas and shone that light to others around him: And,
behold, there was a man in Jerusalem, whose name was Simeon;
and the same man was just and devout, waiting for the consolation
of Israel: and the Holy Ghost was upon him. And it was revealed
unto him by the Holy Ghost, that he should not see death, before
he had seen the Lord's Christ. And he came by the Spirit into
the temple: and when the parents brought in the child Jesus,
to do for him after the custom of the law, “Laughter or Joy” The Bright and Morning Star brings the spirit of rejoicing to us this Christmas right where we are! We do not advocate meaningless or foolish laughter of course, but a joy-filled laughter that is full of praise and wonder at God’s Marvelous Gift to us. When
they saw the star, they rejoiced with exceeding great
joy. For,
lo, as soon as the voice of thy salutation sounded in mine ears,
the babe leaped in my womb for joy.
- Luke 1:44 And
the angel said unto them, Fear not: for, behold, I bring you good
tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people. If you recall, when the long-awaited Isaac was born to the aged Abraham and Sarah, they named him laughter or Isaac! They and all who heard of God’s miraculous provision of the promised baby to the faith-filled couple just had to laugh for joy, gratitude and wonder to our Great God. The miraculous birth of the Heavenly Isaac, Jesus Christ Who is the Savior of all mankind surely must bring happy laughter to believers everywhere during this Christmas season. How the Gospel brought joy to the hearts of the wise men and Elizabeth and John the Baptist (who was also in the womb at the time) and the shepherds who were among the very first to witness the God-man
as a baby! Does the Christmas story still bring joy to your own heart,
beloved. Are you beginning to prepare your heart to not only glory
in the Savior of the whole world, but also bubbling up inside with
that joy unspeakable in knowing that the Son of God came for a poor, wretched
sinner like you as well in order to salvage you from your shackles
of sin? “Love or Consolation” The Eternal Star, Jesus Christ showers His Love upon us this Christmas season. Glory
to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward
men. And,
behold, there was a man in Jerusalem, whose name was Simeon; and
the same man was just and devout, waiting for the consolation of
Israel: and the Holy Ghost was upon him. Now, Israel was under the dominion of the evil, Roman empire at that time and they were desperately in need of a Saviour. A few of the faithful like Simeon however, would not rest until they had found Him. Perhaps you are in a trying situation right now. Are you going to lean on your own strength and wisdom only to sulk in sorrow and defeat this Christmas season? Or, will you rather lean on the Everlasting Star of Consolation, Jesus Christ in the midst of all your circumstances? He is a mighty deliver and can supply all your need, “ … according
to His Riches in Glory by Christ Jesus.”
Phil 4:19 Are you deeply consoled by the entrance of the Christ-Child (like Simeon was) into your world? Do you feel comforted by the salvation He has purchased especially for you by His Sinless Blood? Then you can shine that Star-light on others as well. Love should be experienced and expressed this Christmas season as we reflect the loving heart of the Star of Jacob. Love means sacrifice and emotional concern for the well-being of another. Jesus showed this as He emptied Himself of all the Heavenly Glory to become a tiny infant on a mission to go the Cross of Calvary to pay for our sin debt and restore us to the Father forever! Are you ready to tell someone the Good News this Christmas holiday? Of how the tyranny of sin and defeat and depression can come to full stop for them this Christmas as they discover the Star that can shine right in the darkness of their heart and life? Are you prepared to make sacrifices of your time, talent and treasure to shine your Light to your neighbors, especially the, “have-nots.” May this Christmas be to you and yours a season of Divine Discovery. In the midst of all the celebrations and in the presence of all your family, church friends and neighbors, do let that Bright and Morning Star, the Star of Jacob Who is none other than the Lord Jesus Christ, shine in and reflect through you in: Light – Glory of the Gospel by your Witness in word and deed Laughter – Praising God In Joyful Awe and Wonder for giving us Jesus Love – Receiving Jesus’ Comfort and Consoling the needy this Christmas in return! A
Very, Happy/Merry Christmas to You! In
Jesus, |