Tuesday, January 19, 2016
Isaiah 60:2-3 For behold, the darkness shall cover the earth, and deep darkness the people; but the LORD will arise over you, and His glory will be seen upon you. The Gentiles shall come to your light, and kings to the brightness of your rising.
A STAR LIKE NO OTHER
It was a star like no other. It appeared suddenly in the East to a small band of star gazers. They knew what it meant. God had created this star and placed it in the vault of the heavens as a signal that the long-awaited Savior had been born -- He whose work it would be to lead mankind out of sin's darkness and death's gloomy night to the brightness of heaven's day. They set out on a journey, guided by this star, to find the Savior so they might pay Him their homage. When they found Him they knelt before Him and presented to Him costly gifts, tokens of their appreciation for all He would grow up to do for them and the whole world.
Next time you look up into the sky on a starry night, think of this story. Be reminded that God has given you, too, a star like no other to lead you to the Savior. Not a supernatural luminary placed in the firmament but the super-special "star" of His Word. The Holy Spirit caused the Bible to be written to show you your need for a Savior and bless you with faith to trust in Him, so that you too might give Him your heart's worship and spend eternity with Him in heaven's brightness.
Songs of thankfulness and praise, Jesus, Lord, to Thee we raise,
Manifested by the star To the sages from afar,
Branch of royal David's stem, In Thy birth at Bethlehem.
Anthems be to Thee addressed God in man made manifest.
(The Lutheran Hymnal, 134:1)
