I’m taking down the Christmas tree today.  It reminds me of a story that I’d like to share with you.

Our first Christmas together, newly married and strapped for cash, we splurged on a small live Christmas tree.  The fresh evergreen smelled wonderful in our little apartment.  We had no ornaments, so we made chains of popcorn and cranberries.  We found large pine-cones and added a little sparkle.  A friend gave us an old string of lights, and that was it – the tree was complete.   But what could we put on the top? Gluing together a couple of shirt cardboards (remember them from the laundry?) we made a sturdy star.  We covered the star with shiny silver glitter and there it was — the Star of the East sparkling atop our first tree!

As the babies arrived and the little children grew, they came to look forward to that silver star on the top of their tree.  Our ornaments accumulated and the tree became more festive. One year I suggested we choose a new ornament to top the tree.  A resounding “NO” from the kids demanded that the traditional star be returned to its place.  I gave in and the star returned.

Well, that star has survived 52 Christmases and still shines from the top of our little tree on the porch.  I wouldn’t and couldn’t discard it now.  Once again it will be wrapped carefully and packed away, a bit tired and weathered, but more sentimental than ever.

The Star of the East is a beautiful symbol of Christmas. There’s something very peaceful about that bright star, shining in the darkness.   We remember the Wise Men following that Star.  We think of their trust and faith, their willingness to make that long journey, confident that they would be led to the place where Jesus lay.  Yet, we can assume those sojourners from the east had a long and arduous trip.  They must have faced tough challenges and difficulties along the way.

We’re each on our own journey through this life.  And, we too are led along the way.  Perhaps not by a star in the nighttime sky, but by the promise of our Lord.   “Come, follow me the Savior spake.”  He has not promised that the journey will always be easy, but we too have faith that at the end of our journey, we will see our precious Savior, face to face.   What a glorious moment that will be!

Perhaps you remember singing this old favorite Christmas song:

Star of the East, thou hope of the soul,
While round us here the dark billows roll,
Lead us from sin to glory afar,
Thou star of the East, thou sweet Bethlehem’s star

Read Matthew 2:1-12, and remember that the same God who gave a brilliant star for the Wise Men to follow, gives you the light of His word – a light to show you the way along your journey of life.  He loved those Wise Men and He loves you – unconditionally!

Judy

Today’s Reading: https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Matthew%202:1-12