Christmas time is the season where people decorate their homes, businesses, and towns. It seems that everything from streetlamps to trees receive bows, tinsel, and strings of lights to brighten our eyes with extra holiday spirit. For many families a part of their tree trimming tradition is to place a star, often lit, at the top of their Christmas tree. The star serves as a symbol of the star that led the Wise Men to find the Christ child shortly after his birth. Just as the Wise Men looked to the star to find Jesus so they could worship him (Matthew 2:1-2), we should be reminded as we see a Christmas star that wise men still need to seek and worship the One who was sent to bring light unto the world.
One of the most amazing events that took place on the night of Christ’s birth is that an angel announced baby Jesus’ birth to shepherds watching their flock. Instead of telling a king that the King of kings had been born, God allowed the simple shepherds the honor of hearing the good news first. The shepherds were probably expecting that night to be like hundreds of other mundane evenings. Instead, an angel of the Lord appeared to them telling them:
Do not be afraid. I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people. Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is Christ the Lord. This will be a sign to you: You will find the baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger. Suddenly a great company of the heavenly host appeared with the angel, praising God and saying, ‘Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace to men on whom his favor rests’ (Luke 2:10-14).
Let the message the angel spoke to the shepherds that first Christmas rest in your heart today. Because the words the angel spoke, “I bring you good news of great joy” was to “ALL the people.” This beautiful proclamation is as true and amazing today as it was when first shouted by the heavenly hosts. The good news is that God loved us so much that he sent his only Son to be born of a virgin, live a perfect life, die for our sins, and rise from the dead. The Bible states that anyone who calls Jesus Lord and invites him into their life will have life everlasting (John 3:16). This is truly good news that brings us great joy.
This Christmas season we hope that you find joy in the traditions of the holidays as you spend time with family, friends and the ones you cherish most. We also pray that you look to the One that will brighten your life and bring you joy, Jesus Christ. The reason the Wise Men followed the star and shepherds celebrated Christmas was to worship Jesus. So when you gaze at the star at the top of the tree, remember that Jesus is still the hope of the world, the One whose bright light still shines.
Sharing the good news of great joy,
LEAP Ministries