The Star Appears

By Missey Butler
Guest Writer

CBN.com -- Many of the ancient writings of the Old Testament are very descriptive in their documented portrayals of wicked and evil kings that came into power centuries ago. Because of their malevolent rule, there was a rippling effect of a dark and oppressive influence that spread throughout the region, as the spirit of death swept over many innocent people who suffered as a result of the their cruel dictates.

One of them in particular was a fellow by the name of King Herod. We find his infamous story recorded in the gospels as we read the timeless Christmas story of the three Wiseman and their visitation to the lowly manger, the birthplace of our Lord Jesus Christ. In the book of Matthew we catch a glimpse of another very interesting encounter unfolding, as the mean- spirited King confronts the sage, holy men of the Magi.

Then Herod called the Magi secretly and found out from them the exact time the star had appeared. (Matthew 2:4 NIV)

King Herod was obviously very concerned about this particular birth announcement as he went to great lengths to bring it to an end by sending a royal decree to slaughter all the male children within the town of Bethlehem. All through the night the sounds of agonizing grief shrilled across the land as the remaining stars bowed down, dimmed with sadness.

We understand more clearly now that this was nothing less than a diabolical attempt to bring to naught the very birth of Jesus Christ, and to thwart the establishment of His Kingdom from the face of the earth before it even began. For it had been prophesied that a Messiah would come and that He would save his people from their sins!

As we read through the gospel accounts, especially in the second chapter of Matthew, we see a significant sign post, the one star that appeared and guided those whose hearts were seeking with an earnest expectation, the arrival of the Christ child.

After they had heard the king, they went on their way, and the star they had seen in the east went ahead of them until it stopped over the place where the child was. When they saw the star, they were overjoyed. (Matthew 2:9-10).

As we gaze into the dark velvet skies, those glimmering stars are a wonderful reminder of the one true star, his name is Jesus.

But, did you realize that there is another star introduced further on in the New Testament that was prophesied to make a miraculous appearance? We see the mention of this new star in the book of 1Peter, chapter 1, verse 19 (NIV):

We have also a more sure word of prophecy; whereunto ye do well that ye take heed, as unto a light that shineth in a dark place, until the day dawn, and the day star arise in your hearts.

Notice the last part of the verse “arise in your hearts!”

Yes, there is a new star appearing and it is the DAY STAR…it is Jesus Christ Himself!

Through our new birth, and the understanding of our being made one with Him, (1 Corinthians 6:17) we begin to see that He is that “star,” the very one who must arise within our hearts so that the glory of His appearing will become manifest in and through a people, His own chosen vessels of honor who will brightly shine forth amid a dark and desperate world for all to see!

Has the Day Star made His ascension within your own heart this Christmas season? Why not allow Him to bring the very gift of the glorified life to you as you have never known before. We must allow Him to arise and shine, for our light has come…the glorious light of the Day Star who longs to make his appearance in you and in me! And just like those whose hearts were overjoyed when they saw the star of Bethlehem, so much more will our joy be unspeakable when the preeminence of Christ arrives as the dawning of the “new star” appears within our hearts.

Isaiah heralded His coming so beautifully when he announced:

Arise, shine; for thy light has come, and the glory of the Lord is risen upon thee. For, behold, the darkness shall cover the earth, and gross darkness the people: but the Lord shall arise upon thee, and his glory shall be seen upon thee. And the Gentiles shall come to thy light, and the kings to the brightness of thy rising. (Isaiah 60: 1-3 KJV)

Oh Star of Wonder, how glorious you are!

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