Today, reliable reports show that approximately 90 percent of Americans know their astrological sign, while 70 percent consult their horoscopes regularly. A pseudo-science at best, astrology attempts to satisfy our sinful craving for control, guidance, and help. It claims to give us insight by observing the movements of the stars and planets, explaining aspects of our personalities or predicting significant events in our lives. It maintains that the stars desire to speak to us.

But this is darkness. Sadly, it seems that more people listen to the stars in the sky than the one who aligned every star in its orbit, the one who calls each star by name.

Read Matthew 2:1-12. Around the time that Christ was born, an unusual star was present in the night sky. In response to its rising, Magi from the East came to Jerusalem and asked, “Where is the one who has been born king of the Jews? We saw his star when it rose and have come to worship him” (v. 2).

This mysterious star burned brightly at the birth of the Messiah because “the true light that gives light to everyone” had come into the world—the one who “wraps himself in light as with a garment” had been born as a baby (John 1:9 and Psalm 104:2, respectively). The presence of this special light, this star announcing Christ’s birth, was no accident. It declared the advent of the divine.

Light is a symbol of both purity and holiness. In Revelation 22:16, Jesus proclaims, “I am the Root and the Offspring of David, and the bright Morning Star” (emphasis added). Jesus calls Himself a star, for as God incarnate, He emanates the most powerful light in the universe, and to announce His first coming, God flooded the night sky with light. God manifested His glory in the galaxies, using His creation to bear witness to the birth of the Morning Star. The light to the Gentiles had finally come (see Luke 2:32)!

On that first Christmas, a star spoke a message that continues to have eternal significance for every man, woman, and child. For through its light, it revealed who we truly are—sinners in darkness, in need of rescue.

This Christmas, may we listen to the message of the Morning Star and fervently intercede for the lost that God would deliver many souls from the kingdom of darkness, bringing them forevermore into His marvelous light.

Prayer: Lord, I praise You—the light of the world. Thank You for Your grace that has brought me into the marvelous light of God. Use me this season to spread Your light to my family, friends, and neighbors. I pray in the name of Jesus. Amen.

 “You, Lord, are my lamp; the Lord turns my darkness into light” (2 Samuel 22:29).

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