The Brightness of Christ's Incarnate Blessing

Matthew 2:1-11

“Now after Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judea in the days of Herod, the king, behold, wise men from the East came to Jerusalem, saying, ‘Where is He who has been born King of the Jews? For we have seen His star in the East and have come to worship Him. When Herod the King heard this, he was troubled and all Jerusalem with him.  And when he had gathered all the chief priests and scribes of the people together, he inquired of them where the Christ was to be born. So they said to him, ‘In Bethlehem of Judea, for thus it is written by the prophet: “But you, Bethlehem, in the land of Judah, are not the least among the rulers of Judah; for out of you shall come a Ruler Who will shepherd My people Israel.” ’ Then Herod, when he had secretly called the wise men, determined from them what time the star appeared.  And he sent them to Bethlehem and said, ‘Go and search carefully for the young Child, and when you have found Him, bring back word to me, that I may come and worship Him also.’ When they heard the king, they departed; and behold, the star which they had seen in the East went before them, till it came and stood over where the young Child was.  When they saw the star, they rejoiced with exceedingly great joy.  And when they had come into the house, they saw the young Child with Mary His mother, and fell down and worshiped Him.” [Matthew 2:1-11—NKJV]

We have moved into the season of lights…as we move closer to Christmas Day, more landscapes and skylines will grow brighter with those familiar colors illuminating their surroundings and the dispositions of those who view them…for homes, churches, offices, etc., will fill with festive gatherings of food and fellowship, which in turn will also glow with the light of life and love. Don’t you love these lights? I do! And yet, a better and brighter light shone, and still shines—which I love even more—that glorious light of Jesus Christ, which shines upon us and through us.

The Gospel of Matthew contains the record of God’s announcement of His light coming into the world to provide light and life. The ‘Star,’ the true ‘Light of the World,’ had arrived as King, thus fulfilling the prophetic word of Balaam, “…A Star shall come out of Jacob; a Scepter shall rise out of Israel…” [Numbers 24:17—NKJV] These words represent both Regent and Reign: Star = Prince, Scepter = Kingdom, which are the words of the ‘wise men’ from the east.

God said from the days of creation [Genesis1] that He would use the stars for signs, seasons, and symbols, and so He had—the ‘light’ to provide direction and revelation had brought them to the Provider of revelation and direction—to bring life into their lives, not just upon their environment, and this is where He chooses to shine today. 

Peter wrote some precious words in his second epistle that shine some light (pardon the pun) on the concepts and the prophetic Scriptures previously given, some of which we consider in this blog, “You must pay close attention to what they wrote, for their words are like a lamp shining in a dark place—until the Day dawns and Christ the Morning Star shines in your hearts.” [2 Peter 1: 19b—NLT].

Friends, when you see the ‘Christmas Star’ illuminating the manger scene, sitting atop a tree, or fixed above the set of a play about Christ’s birth, think about the purpose of that star, meditate upon its genuine meaning, and realize its final fulfillment—that the ‘Star of Christ’s radiant glory would shine from within you, not just upon you! Listen, wise men (and women) still seek Him—and discover Him—because He has illuminated the way, the location, and the Person, and He is the sum of them all!!