The star plays an important role in the Advent journey.  It’s sudden appearance and brilliant display of luminous energy awakened the wise men to the birth of the Messiah.  It was the light for which they had long been waiting and watching.  The star held within its presence a deep knowing of an eternal truth.  The revelation was so strong that it compelled the wise men to follow as the star led them to the King of kings. The Christmas Carol, “There’s a Song in the Air” speaks about the star. (Words, Josiah G. Holland, 1874):

“There’s a song in the air!  There’s a star in the sky!  There’s a mother’s deep prayer and a baby’s low cry!  And the star rains its fire while the beautiful sing, for the manger of Bethlehem cradles a King!  The first line of the next stanza captured my attention…“In the light of that star lie the ages impearled”.  

I am thinking of the mystery and wonder of the galaxies.  The stars are visible to us, yet they are light years away!  They contain eternal light.  God set the stars in the expanse of the heavens at the beginning of creation. (Genesis 1:16-17).  I love the thought that the ages of time are impearled within the star.  How wondrously beautiful is that image. It makes me want to find a spot out in the country where the sky is clear, lay down on the ground wrapped in a warm blanket, and bask in the wonder of the stars in the heavens, the story they have to tell.

How in the world is our limited vision connected to such eternal light?  When I had surgery to remove cataracts, the lens of my eye was softened and broken into small pieces.  This was precisely performed by a laser.  A suction cup was placed on my eye and a machine did the work. As I laid there with my eye numbed and held securely wide open, here is what I saw…



This is actually a photo of fireworks in the sky on July 4, yet it portrays what I was seeing in that moment. I simply could not believe that through the same eye experiencing the surgery, I was watching the colorful light show!  This was way beyond my comprehension.  There seemed to be an eternal light which was present both inside and outside my body at the same time.  They came to meet in this healing moment upon the tiny lens of my eye!

I wonder how the eternal light of the star was experienced by the wise men?  What was it like to follow it over hill and valley all the way to Bethlehem?  What about when it finally cast its brilliant beam upon the face of God, the tiny child?  The ages were impearled.  Oh my, I can only imagine the glory!

nk

Pondering…

Remember a time when the stars were especially brilliant and beautiful.  Where were you?

Find a time to enjoy the stars.  Reflect upon their eternal light.