The Christmas Star

Twinkle, twinkle, Christmas star,
How I wonder what you are.

Up upon the tree at night,
Like a diamond shining bright.

Twinkle, twinkle, Christmas star,
How I wonder what you are.

Armed with glue, gold glitter, scissors, cardboard star templates and paddle pop sticks, I plonked myself in a cushiony chair in front of a group of seven-year old’s.

“Now who can tell me why we have a star on top of the Christmas tree?” Silence. Shuffling in chairs. Blank far-away looks. Clearly no one knew. Except for one boy.

“The star is there to tell Santa where the tree is so he can put Christmas presents underneath.”

Clearly no one still knew. I smiled weakly and said graciously, “No, I don’t think so.”

And for the next half an hour with glue and glitter (adults cannot begin to conceive what seven-year old’s can do with glitter), stars and sticks going everywhere, I persistently explained the story of Christmas and why we really have a star mounted at the top of our Christmas tree. Though one little girl constantly corrected me, claiming that only a fairy should be on the top of the tree. Hmm. There’s always one.

The Christmas story has been lost, buried below a mountain of frivolity, falsities and fantasy. But that morning, I was determined to resurrect it to its rightful place. Jesus is the only reason we have Christmas: without Him it wouldn’t be.

But getting back to the star.

Numbers 24:17 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 and shall smite the corners of Moab, and destroy all the children of Seth.

In Numbers, Balaam predicts the future advent of a royal conqueror who will triumph over Moab and Edom. Though King David fulfilled these predictions, Balaam’s oracle points further ahead to the birth of Jesus in Bethlehem and His subsequent conquest over sin and death.

Matthew 2:2 Now when Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judea in the days of Herod the king, behold there came wise men from the east to Jerusalem.

And they asked, “Where is he who is born king of the Jews? For we have seen his star in the east and are come to worship him.” The star, which came to rest over the place where Jesus was born, was a sign. A sign to light the way for worshipers to follow. A sign leading them to the Savior of the world. These is still conjecture over what this star was. A supernova? A planet? Or purely something supernatural? No matter its nature, the star was God’s sign, first alluded to by Balaam, that would lead to the place of the greatest event in history – the birth of Jesus.

Revelation 22:16 I, Jesus have sent mine angel to testify unto you these things in the churches. I am the root of the offspring of David, and the bright and morning star.

Not only is the star a sign that leads us to Jesus, but it is a reminder that Jesus Himself said He was the bright morning star, the brightest light that outshines all others and fills us with His wondrous light. Like a torch shining brightly in a dark place to give us direction, Jesus’ light shines within, giving His people wisdom and direction when our circumstances seem dark and hopeless.

2 Peter 1:19 Whereunto ye do well that ye take heed, as unto a light that shineth in a dark place, until the day dawn, and the morning star arises in your hearts.

Paul exhorts us as followers of Christ, to pay particular attention to the Word of God, until the day dawns, when Christ returns, and the Word of God will be superseded by the bright Morning Star Himself.

The Star. A prophecy of what was to come. A sign for worshipers. A guiding light shining in our hearts. A promise of His imminent return. There is no question about what the star on our Christmas tree represents. Let’s keep the star shining brightly atop our tree this year and shining even brighter in our hearts.

‘Jesus, I am so grateful for Your loving presence in my life. Help me to share You with others this Christmas, for You are truly the only reason we celebrate this wonderful season. Amen.’

‘Twinkle Twinkle Little Star’ is based on a 19th-century English poem, written by  Jane Taylor.