A Star is Born...

In this season where the star of Bethlehem is remembered, or in our culture of rising stars, how to be a star, and a star is born, I want to invite you to sit at the table with the One True Star who outshines them all.

Few things fill me with such wonder and awe that I am struck both silent and small … a star-bejewelled sky on a clear dark night far from the artificial glare of city light will do it every time.

Have you ever had the pleasure of sitting back with your eyes gazing upward with nothing more to do than to study the glory and vastness of God's incredible creative splendour?

When we owned a cabin on a lake one of my favourite things to do was to relax on an Adirondack chair in the cool of a crisp winter evening, wrapped in thick blankets and feast my eyes on the twinkling display of beauty and majesty above. With snowcapped mountains, icicles hanging off the dock, and the shimmer of moonlight across the water, a sense of peace would unfold. Conversely, the opposite time of day was just as stirring…an early morning when I could not sleep and snuck out to catch both the moon and the morning star sharing the same stretch of sky. All other stars had faded in the growing light, but one star, that Bright and Morning Star outshone them all.

Since that time of plenty and losing most of our earthly possessions including that beloved cabin, I look at life differently and all the striving and grasping for more. I often think of the rising stars of this world, and the ones who currently shine so bright and those who have faded. Yesterday it was Whitney Houston and today it is Taylor Swift. Yet, the truth remains...all shall fade...me, you, and even those who look like they have the world by the tail of a shining star. Prestige, power, possessions mean so little in the scope of eternity. There is only one eternal star…the Bright and Morning Star—Jesus. And what we decide to do with this truth will impact our eternity. Now that is something to think about.

Jesus came into this world as a babe in a manger rather than a celebrated prince in an earthly palace. His humble example, his profound teaching, and the sacrifice of His life so we may have salvation and freedom is the definition of the greatest "STAR" who has ever walked this earth. How fitting that the only One True Star begins and ends His story with a star. Jesus was visited by magi saying, "Where is He who has been born king of the Jews? For we have seen His star in the East and have come to worship Him." Matt. 2:2. Jesus also called Himself the Bright and Morning Star in the last chapter of the Bible Revelation 22:16.

For He (Jesus) embodies light in a dark world. He shines at the dawn of each new day giving us renewed light, hope and strength. He is the only Star worth worshipping for He will never fade or burn out.

Is your life over-stimulated, over-stressed, over-worked? Do you live in the glare of artificial light that never shuts down or shuts off?

When is the last time you've had the opportunity to get up at dawn and catch a glimpse of the Bright and Morning Star, both physically in the sky and spiritually calling out His name—inviting the Bright and Morning Star into your day?

I feel in the Spirit that there are many who are weary, weak, worn… The Christmas season has you harried, hurried and haggard. Jesus the Bright and Morning Star wants to renew you, like He does in bringing each new morning. He is whispering, "Come unto to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest." Matthew 11:28

Come.

The Bright and Morning Star is waiting to refresh, renew, revive.

Listen to this beautiful song The Star still Shines written by Shawna Edwards and sung by David Osmond. The words will be sure to lift your spirits and calm your soul, ushering in the true essence of Christmas.