I’ve always preferred a star on the top of the Christmas tree than an angel. My dad would shape a star out of bamboo, wires, or whatever he had lying around the house. Then he would light it with light bulbs in each point and in the center of the star. The star would be covered in white paper so it looked like a three-dimensional star. He would hang it near the top of the carport so that it would be the first thing we saw as we drove into our driveway.
As we got older, the stars were two-dimensional with tiny lights along the outline of the star. It might stay outside after the holidays but not turned on. Since we don’t actually know when Jesus was born, I don’t mind keeping the Christmas lights out longer than December.
When my kids were younger, I would outline a star with the Christmas lights on our kitchen window. It took much longer than just outlining the window itself but it reminded me of the stars my dad would make and of the star that led the wise men to Jesus.
My daughter enjoys decorating with lights. She is usually the one who brings out the lights to decorate our home. She has white lights in her bedroom all the time. The lights not only keep the darkness away but give her hope reminding her Jesus is near.
Seeing Christmas lights on people’s homes, especially if they have a lighted star, brings me joy and warmth to my soul. It is a reminder of the promised peace to the world. Do you sense it, too?
Prayer
Dear Heavenly Father,
Thank You for sending us Your Son to be our Light in the darkness. Help us to be like the wisemen, who followed the star to the King of kings. May we shine like Jesus so that people will be pointed to You and have peace that only You can give
In Your Son’s precious name, Amen.
Verses
Psalm 19:1 The heavens proclaim the glory of God; the sky displays His handiwork
Matthew 2:9 The star the wise men saw guided them to Bethlehem to the place Jesus was
John 8:12 Jesus said, “I am the light of the world. If you follow Me, you won’t walk in darkness.”
Isaiah 9:6 For to us a child is born, to us a son is given, and He will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace
Luke 2:14 The angels proclaimed to the shepherds, “Glory to God and peace on earth”
Song
“Star of Wonder” by Phil Wickham is about the wonderful star created by our wonderful God to point us to His wonderful gift. I thought it was the familiar Christmas carol but this is different from the one that has the title, “We Three Kings.”
Call to action
If you have already prayed, looked up the verses in your Bible, and listened to the suggested song, then read the story of the wisemen in Matthew 2:1-12. How many kings from the East do the verses mention came to worship Jesus? Did they arrive at the manger?