Five pointed star
Matthew 2:1‑12; Numbers 24:17; Revelation 22:16
Today is Christmas Day, the day of Christ’s birth, the advent of the Messiah, the Anointed One of Israel, and the Savior of the World. All that we have learned in the past 24 days has pointed to this day, one of the two most wonderful in the year.
The symbol for today, the five pointed star, reminds us of the last part of the Christmas story, the star that guided the Magi, who came sometime in the first 12-18 months of Jesus’ life. Mary and Joseph were directed by God through an edict of Caesar Augustus to Bethlehem, 80 miles to the south. They had little choice to go. The shepherds were called by the glorious sight of angels in the heavens to go to Bethlehem, a few miles away. They had great incentive to go. But the Wise Men, nobles in the Parthian empire, were neither forced by Caesar nor enticed by glorious angels. They traveled the 700 miles because they saw the star, and were looking for a king.
Many have tried to identify Christ’s star, and there are some fascinating astronomical events that occurred around the time when Jesus was born. A conjunction of Mars, Jupiter and Saturn occurred in 7-6 BC (occurring only once every 805 years). Chinese and Korean records identify a nova or supernova in 5 BC and a comet in 4 BC, respectively. Other rare astronomical findings occurred around the same time, making those few years a period of unusually great activity in the heavens.
The Magi were part of a hereditary priesthood, probably of Scythian origin and often holding great political power, first identified in the 7th century BC. Over time, the religion of the Magi was incorporated into Zoroastrianism, and came to closely resemble Judaism. The first Biblical mention of the Magi is in Babylon (Jer 39:3, 13), when Nergal Shar’etser is mentioned as a high official in the court of King Nebuchadnezzar. During his reign, he made Daniel chief of the Magi (Dan 4:9). In the ensuing centuries, the political fortunes of the Persians and the Jews were tightly linked as well, fighting against the Macedonians, Seleucids, and Romans. When the Magi, de facto king-makers in the Parthian empire, visited Jerusalem looking for a Jewish king, Herod’s fear was completely understandable, though his action was evil. One wonders why the Magi didn’t take the Holy Family back with them to Babylon to wait for Jesus to grow up and then make Him king. Perhaps they tried.
God used the Magi, the Wise Men, for His holy purpose. Probably their discovery made a difference in Parthian politics, and their example has attested to the truth of Christ throughout his ministry. Certainly they gave concrete proof to Joseph and Mary about their unusual child, and they financed their sojourn in Egypt. Today the five pointed star, the Star of Epiphany, is used to symbolize the Magi’s role in Christmas. It is placed on the top of the tree and represents the manifested nature of God. The five points symbolize the head, two arms and two legs of a man.
God used the “star” and the Wise Men to accomplish His perfect purpose. With our lives centered around Him as a planet orbits the sun, so we will accomplish His perfect purpose in our days.
As these Christmas celebrations draw to a close, let us review each of them, remember their meanings, and consider their impact on our lives. By so doing, we can heighten our awareness of God and His great work. Until next year!
Silent Night, Holy Night
Silent night, holy night
All is calm, all is bright
Round yon Virgin Mother and Child
Holy Infant so tender and mild
Sleep in heavenly peace
Sleep in heavenly peace
Silent night, holy night!
Shepherds quake at the sight
Glories stream from heaven afar
Heavenly hosts sing Alleluia!
Christ, the Savior is born
Christ, the Savior is born
Silent night, holy night
Son of God, love’s pure light
Radiant beams from Thy holy face
With the dawn of redeeming grace
Jesus, Lord, at Thy birth
Jesus, Lord, at Thy birth
Silent night, holy night,
Wondrous star, lend thy light;
With the angels let us sing
Alleluia to our King;
Christ, the Savior is born,
Christ, the Savior is born.
Stille Nacht, Heilige Nacht
Stille Nacht, heilige Nacht,
Alles schläft; einsam wacht
Nur das traute hochheilige Paar.
Holder Knabe im lockigen Haar,
Schlaf in himmlischer Ruh!
Schlaf in himmlischer Ruh!
Stille Nacht, heilige Nacht,
Hirten erst kundgemacht
Durch der Engel Halleluja,
Tönt es laut von fern und nah:
Christ, der Retter ist da!
Christ, der Retter ist da!
Stille Nacht, heilige Nacht,
Gottes Sohn, o wie lacht
Lieb’ aus deinem göttlichen Mund,
Da uns schlägt die rettende Stund’.
Christ, in deiner Geburt!
Christ, in deiner Geburt!
Enjoy a light-hearted Christian Christmas romance, A Cup of Crisp at Christmas.
