THE LIGHT OF SALVATION HAS COME FOR ALL MANKIND
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“The people walking in darkness have seen a great light, on those living in the land of deep darkness a Light has dawned.” – Isaiah 9:2 –
The Christmas Star appears in the sky one winter night long ago. The star illuminates the evening sky… piercing the darkness with its radiance. It rests above a lowly stable in Bethlehem where the Christ Child is sleeping.
The eternal God has entered human history as the person of Jesus. Fully God and fully Man, He sets aside His divinity to fulfill the mission of redemption created in eternity past… God’s master plan prophesied by the prophets of old.
“Lift up your eyes on high and see who has created these stars, the One who leads forth their host by number, He calls them all by name; because of the greatness of His might and the strength of His power, not one of them is missing.” – Isaiah 40:26
To announce this prophetic event, the God of the universe emblazons the evening sky with a celestial phenomenon… a star… the brightest star in the heavens. What is this Christmas Star? Some believe it happened as a rare astronomical occurrence… an alignment of Saturn, Jupiter and Mars. Others say it appeared as the Shekinah glory… the light of God’s presence.
Yet the Creator, in all His omnipotence, could have created a distinct and incomparable celestial star to announce the birth of His Son. For God rules in sovereign majesty over all of heaven and earth. Whatever this wondrous star may have been, it shone brilliantly in the dark night sky… a beacon leading all to worship the Holy Child.
“A Star shall come out of Jacob; a Scepter shall rise out of Israel.” – Numbers 24:17
The Christmas Star draws seekers to discover the Christ Child born that wondrous night. Magi from the east see the star and recognize its prophetic significance. For Old Testament prophecies tell of the birth of a future King over all the earth to be born in the land of Judah, in the town of Bethlehem.
The star is a sign of this coming King… a royal scepter-bearer who will rule with righteousness and justice (Isaiah 32:1). The Wise Men follow this star that leads to the long-awaited Messiah. They bow in worship before Him, offering gifts of royalty for this new King. The Light of the World has come.
“For God who said, ‘Let light shine out of darkness,’ has shone in our hearts to give the light of the knowledge of God’s glory in the face of Jesus Christ.” – 2 Corinthians 4:6
The Christmas Star shone that blessed night, illuminating the darkness. Today, the world’s darkness is illuminated by the Light of the World, Jesus Christ. The Light of Christ penetrates the darkness of our hearts… brightening us with His holy radiance… filling us with His light of salvation and hope.
For Jesus is the Light of Life. In Him there is no darkness (1 John 1:5). Like the Magi, we recognize His light and are drawn to Him. We become united with Christ by the presence of His Spirit. He is our Light and our Life.
“A town built on a hill cannot be hidden. Neither do people light a lamp and put it under a bowl. Instead they put it on its stand, and it gives light to everyone in the house. In the same way, let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven.” – Matthew 5:14-16
Christians are like a city on a hill whose light can be seen for miles away. For in us is the Light of Christ that this dark world desperately needs. We do not keep the hope that is within us to ourselves. If we hide our light, the world remains in darkness… without hope… without salvation. Yet, as the Light of Jesus beams from our lives, we shine forth into this bleak world with His glory. We radiate His love and His goodness into the hearts and lives of the lost.
“Those who are wise will shine like the brightness of the heavens, and those who lead many to righteousness, like the stars for ever and ever.” – Daniel 12:3
The Christmas Star glowed brilliantly that holy night. As Christians, we are the Light of Christ in others’ lives. We shine like the Christmas Star, piercing the veil of darkness in the world with His message of hope…pointing the unsaved to His kingdom of light. For Jesus is the eternal Light of salvation. He is the Light of all the world… the Light of hope for all mankind.
† Eternal Takeaway: The Christmas Star announces the birth of the Christ Child †
