The Star of Bethlehem

Christmas day 12
“When they saw the star, they were overjoyed.” Matthew 2:10

“And those who are wise shall shine like the brightness of the sky above; and those who turn many to righteousness, like the stars forever and ever.” Daniel 12:3

 

  • Oh, how our Savior is waiting to meet with you! Go to your comfortable spot and bring along your Bible, journal and favorite pen. Don’t forget your favorite drink. For me, it is a coffee with two creams and three sugars. Our Lord has amazing things for us today!
  • Please read Matthew 2:1-12. Write verse 10 in your journal. Sit still and ponder this verse. If any word stands out, circle or underline it in your journal. Don’t rush this process. Time is not your enemy. Allow God to speak to you by being still and quiet.

The Star of Bethlehem

A few days ago, I heard a new Christmas song from Sidewalk Prophets called, “Hey Moon.”  It was talking about the Christmas story through the eyes of the Star and how it was created for a purpose. The Star of Bethlehem had a major role in the Christmas story to point the Magi or Wise Men to Jesus. The Star is a bright thread in the tapestry of Jesus’ life, yet as I began to ponder the purpose of the star, my heart was encouraged and convicted. It had two very profound purposes: leading the Wise Men to Jesus and bringing hope to a dry and desolate land.

There are trillions of stars, each one just a point of light in the sky until Jesus entered into the picture. We, too, are like the Star of Bethlehem. We were created for a purpose to bring God glory. One way God receives the glory is by leading people to Christ. We can share the joy of our Salvation with those around us. For some of us, it may be in the form of saying a prayer of salvation with others, or it might be sharing a smile or a genuine “hello.” Words of encouragement can make a great difference in the lives of those around us.

We can spotlight Jesus just like the star did by being kind and by loving those around us.
Philippians 2:14-15 tells us, “Do everything without grumbling and arguing, so that you may be blameless and pure, children of God who are faultless in a crooked and perverted generation, among whom you shine like STARS in the world.” (Emphasis mine, Holman)

Sometimes, the hardest people to love are the ones who need it the most. Recently, I was having a tough day at the grocery store, and a sweet older lady stopped me and told me I was doing a great job with my three youngest children. Her kind encouragement gave me the energy to finish shopping with joy!

Hope makes an enormous difference, and our world is looking for hope. Christmas decorations and music make an earlier appearance every year. Most stores start getting Christmas decorations out at the end of summer. It is amazing how fast it comes! People see the brilliant lights, the green trees, the pretty packages, and hope comes flooding over them.

Christmas is magical because of the birth of Jesus. It makes strangers become friends. It brings peace when chaos surrounds. It brings laughter and joy when stress is an all-time high. It is a season in which the unexpected and most wanted happens.

Scripture goes on to tell us to “shine like stars” in this dark and crooked world. Don’t let grumbling or arguing steal your joy and dim your light. Matthew 5:14-16 says that a city on a hill cannot be hidden because of its lights. Our lights are to shine before all men so that those around us can give glory to our Father in Heaven. Therefore, Jesus cannot be hidden if we truly allow Him to shine through us just like the Star of Bethlehem.

Questions to Ponder:

  • Are you shining like a star? Or are you full of complaining and bitterness? If you are struggling to see the positives, lay down the negatives at Jesus’ feet. Recently, I was struggling to see the good things of God. So, I wrote in my journal all the negative things. Afterward, I prayed and left them at the feet of God. Soon next to each of those complaints, God provided. Sometimes, it was a rebuke with Scripture. Others, He fixed the problem or made me see things from a different perspective. The bottom line was that I no longer saw all the negatives, just His provision.
  • How can you shine Jesus to others around you?

 Faith-Filled Idea: (pick one that will work for you)

  • Wherever you go—library, grocery store, karate, dance, mall, church-greet people with a smile and say “Merry Christmas!” I have yet to get a hateful look or a rude remark. Most of the time, people are astonished that I care enough to speak.
  • As you are going about life, find someone to encourage. It could be a young mom, an older person, a small child, your husband, or your mother in law. I often pray that God would allow someone to come across my path into whom I can speak life.
  • When you go to restaurants, ask your waiter/waitress how you can pray for him/her. It may feel awkward at first, but they will be so appreciative. I have even had one waitress stop and pray with us. Don’t forget to tip well because you are Jesus’ shining star!

 

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Susan Proctor
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7 Comments on “The Star of Bethlehem”

  1. This is such a beautiful study, Susan! I love the scriptures you shared. I love how “the heavens declare the glory of God.” And God wants us to be like those stars shining for Him. Thank you for pointing this out and pointing us to Jesus!

    1. Jennifer, we are all on this wonderful, hard journey together. If we band together then we will be able to help each other point out Jesus! You are an amazing friend.

  2. That’s a beautiful analogy! I especially love how you described shiny Jesus’s light by simply being loving and kind. It’s so simple, yet so important.

    1. Thank you Heather. Two things are important: love God and love people. We cannot do either very well without God!!

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