His Star

  "Where is the one who has been born king of the Jews? We saw his star in the east and have come to worship him." Matthew 2:2

Bible students and astronomers alike have puzzled over that star. Some have thought it to be a rare conjunction of bright planets. Others, that it was a comet, or smaller heavenly body, brought into the bright range of earth view for that occasion. Others, that it was a specially created and directed heavenly body.

"His Star" may puzzle us, but it cheered and directed the wise men of old. They were not greatly concerned as to the nature of the star or the manner of its display. They saw it as the fulfillment of promise and as the guide to "the Desire of all nations."

The earth is a small planet so "His star" must have been visible to many thousands of people. Most of them did not notice it. They were not looking for His sign in the heavens. Others that saw it were merely curious about it. "His star" bore no message to them.

But some pious wise men who had heard of the Star of Jacob, whose hearts had begun to yearn for His appearing, were looking for His star that night. Doubtless they had looked for many nights, maybe hundreds of them. The God who watched their eager hearts, and who had planted hope and desire in those hearts, hung "His star" in the sky one night.

No doubt was in their minds. The King was born. When they arrived in Jerusalem they never asked of Herod whether He was born: they only asked where.

Some people look only for stars. They live to see one meteor after another, and are quick to follow any new light. The wise men were looking for Him. Even stars can deceive men—if their hearts are vain. But Christ Jesus may be found, and He never leads men astray.

In a sense, all that we ever see now are but "His stars." We do not see Him, though we have found Him and rejoice with joy unspeakable. For now we only see through a glass, darkly, not face to face. But there shines from "His star" more radiance than glows from a thousand atomic sunbursts created by man.

The stars are still shining this Christmas. But one star, “His Star" outshines them all. Thank God, it has been given unto me to see that star and to find and worship Him.

George E. Failing