Matthew Chapter 2, verses 9-10: “and lo, the star which they had seen in the East went before them, till it came to rest over the place where the child was. 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 worshipped him.”
Sometimes in the days prior to the official start of winter, cold, crisp air will settle into central Virginia. I’m an early riser and a runner, and often I start my runs just before the sun starts to creep over the horizon.
On those chilly mornings, the stars seem brighter and clearer against the deep darkness of the sky. I wonder what the wise men sensed and felt as they followed that bright star to where Mary was holding her newborn son?
Even though, it isn’t a Christmas song, I like the lyrics from a Gillian Welch song entitled “Dear Someone”. The words in the second verse remind me of Christmas, “One little star, smiling tonight, knows where you are. Stay, little star, steady and bright to guide me afar.”
I like the image of a star smiling at night, guiding the wise men to their destination, and it was a light that never failed to provide the reassurance they needed.
As I prepare for the arrival of Christ at Christmas, the light of the stars sparkling in the pre-dawn sky reminds me that the birth of Jesus, and the light brought into world by him never ceases to provide me guidance, direction, and hope.
Let us pray: Heavenly father may the sparkling light from the stars always remind us of your son, Jesus, and his birth. Amen
Author’s note: This piece was published on December 10, 2010 in the Society of St. Andrew’s devotional booklet.
might be baloney 