MEDITATION:
Written by Ray Fowler, a contemporary pastor and author.
God’s purpose for the Star of Bethlehem was simply to point the Magi to Christ. God used the star to catch the Magi’s attention and bring them to Jerusalem. It was there that they received a fuller revelation of Christ from God’s Word, when the teachers of the law opened the Scriptures and pointed them to Bethlehem as the place of Christ’s birth. And then the star went on ahead of them to Bethlehem until it stopped over the place where Christ was…It had pointed them to Christ. I would maintain that this is still God’s purpose for the star today. God doesn’t want us to get all hung up on the various attempts at explaining the star away or trying to figure it all out. Just as the purpose of a reading lamp is to shed light on the book you are reading, or the purpose of a spotlight is to highlight the person on the stage, so the purpose of the star is to point us to Christ. And we should let the star do just that.
Jesus is the fulfillment of all the Old Testament prophecies. He is the ruler who came out of Israel. The obedience of the nations belongs to him. He is the Christ. It’s interesting, the gospel of Matthew begins with foreigners from a distant nation coming to worship Christ. And the gospel of Matthew ends with Jesus’ commission to the church to “go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit.” Jesus is not only the King of the Jews. He is the only Savior for the world. And so the star also has a missionary thrust. It is a reminder to us that we are to share the good news of Jesus with everyone, everywhere we can, both here where we live, and around the world. We are to make disciples of all nations as we point them to Jesus. So, every time you see a star this Christmas, think about Jesus. When you see the star on your tree this Christmas, remember Jesus. When you hear Christmas carols referencing the star, worship and celebrate Jesus. And when you think about the star and how it led the Magi to Christ, ask God, “With whom would you have me share the good news of Jesus this Christmas?” You see, Jesus is the real “star” of Bethlehem. He is the star attraction. He is center stage. He was the motivation for the Magi’s journey and the reason for their rejoicing. He is the reason for our celebration of Christmas today. The babe in the manger is the centerpiece of every nativity scene. Jesus is the reason for the season. The purpose of the star is to point us to Christ.
SCRIPTURE: Matthew 2:9-10
MUSIC VIDEO: Beautiful Star of Bethlehem
Performed by Home Free, The Oakridge Boys, and Jeffrey East
Pathways Press.com 