Christmas Symbols | The Christmas Star

CHRISTMAS STAR

• Bethlehem star that guided the three kings, or wise men, to the baby Jesus.
• The star is also the heavenly sign of a prophecy fulfilled long ago and
• The shining hope for humanity

THE STAR THAT GUIDES

• Matthew 2:1-2 (NLT) | ¹ Jesus was born in Bethlehem in Judea, during the reign of King Herod. About that time some wise men from eastern lands arrived in Jerusalem, asking, ² “Where is the newborn king of the Jews? We saw his star as it rose, and we have come to worship him.”

SIGN OF PROMISES MADE AND KEPT

• Matthew 2:4-6 (NLT) | ⁴ [King Herod] called a meeting of the leading priests and teachers of religious law and asked, “Where is the Messiah supposed to be born?” ⁵ “In Bethlehem in Judea,” they said, “for this is what the prophet wrote: ⁶ ‘And you, O Bethlehem in the land of Judah, are not least among the ruling cities of Judah, for a ruler will come from you who will be the shepherd for my people Israel.’”

HOPE FOR ETERNITY

• Matthew 2:9-11 (NLT) | ⁹ After this interview the wise men went their way. And the star they had seen in the east guided them to Bethlehem. It went ahead of them and stopped over the place where the child was. ¹⁰ When they saw the star, they were filled with joy! ¹¹ They entered the house and saw the child with his mother, Mary, and they bowed down and worshiped him. Then they opened their treasure chests and gave him gifts of gold, frankincense, and myrrh.

GO AND SHINE JESUS LIGHT

• Philippians 2:14-16a (NIV) | ¹⁴ Do everything without grumbling or arguing, ¹⁵ so that you may become blameless and pure, “children of God without fault in a warped and crooked generation.” Then you will shine among them like stars in the sky ¹⁶ as you hold firmly to the word of life.

Reflection Questions

1. The Christmas star proved to shine a light on the hope for humanity. What is that hope?
2. Have you experienced God’s heavenly light leading you to a previously unknown hope?
3. Think of and describe a time when that guiding heavenly light showed how God keeps His promises.
4. How has God’s promise-keeping power revealed eternal hope for you now to help you hold on until it comes to pass?
5. How can you shine Jesus light this Christmas and beyond to illuminate the darkness in which so many find themselves?