Star of wonder

Star of wonder, star of might, star with royal beauty bright.

Isn’t it amazing that at the end of this year, the year that has shaken the planet to the core with the coronavirus, where not one single nation has been untouched, there is an event in our skies that everyone can see and marvel at.

It is the conjunction of Jupiter, the king planet and Saturn, the ruler and though these planets are hundreds of millions of miles apart they are passing one another in such a way that they appear to form one bright star in the night sky that all can see on Earth.  In the northern hemisphere it is equally significant as it appeared at its brightest on 21 December, the winter solstice, the darkest day of the year. 

Even the most secular people are calling it the Christmas star. Surely it is no coincidence that at such a dark moment on the earth, when the virus is once again running rampant, a star to bring hope is shining in the darkness. 

This same conjunction may have been the star that heralded the birth of Jesus and brought the wise men to come and worship the king, the Light of the World. Just as that star proclaimed the new era, Immanuel God with us, so this star too is a sign that God is birthing a new era for planet Earth, the era of the King. 

As we face this very different Christmas and an uncertain 2021, may our hope not be placed vainly in 2021 being a better year just because it’s not 2020, or in a vaccine or anything else but in Jesus Christ the King, and in a God who loves us and sent us a sign that he has it, he’s in control.

May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit. Romans 15: 13 

Christmas is cancelled?

Christmas is cancelled.  Christmas is off for many people in UK and Europe. Disappointment, anger, resentment is bubbling up. We can’t celebrate Christmas as we would like with family, eating turkey, drinking and generally enjoying ourselves. 

What is God doing?  

As I wrote before, God did not send this virus but he did permit it. I believe through this pandemic, God is turning our hearts to him; gently taking away everything that intrudes between himself and people, starting with his own people and then with the world. Christmas after all has become a parody of the celebration of the birth of Jesus. For most people they have no idea what they are celebrating; they just want to celebrate. 

I am as disappointed as anyone that we won’t be seeing our family whom we haven’t seen in months. I love it when we get together and I have the pleasure of cooking a delicious dinner for everyone before we settle down to open presents and play games. But if I let disappointment rule in my heart and emotions, I’m going to miss the greatest opportunity to know God better, to find him as Lord of my life overwhelming every frustration and pain with his presence.

This is our time to know God, really know him, his goodness, kindness and love and share this with all those around us who have no hope to fall back on as we do, because that is what knowing God gives us – hope. We may have to socially distance this Christmas but that doesn’t mean we can’t communicate – we just have to communicate differently.  

This Christmas, carol services have moved online and I suspect many people will search and find one and hear not only the familiar carols, but also the good news that Christmas is about God becoming man and dwelling amongst us. I believe that with hearts feeling tender and sore from the disappointments of this year, people will be open to the Gospel as never before. They need hope to lighten the darkness of the pandemic which seems to be throttling the nations. This is a unique opportunity for our family, friends and neighbours to hear the good news from the comfort of their homes. 

I am praying for our church services to touch many people in our town and area like never before. Normally our carol services are packed with lots of fun things happening that maybe distracts the congregation from the heart of Christmas – the good news of a baby born to save the world from their sins.  This year my prayer is that the message of Christmas is broadcast loud and clear across the nation. 

Despite everything, we have so much to be thankful for and as God’s people may we climb out of the pit of disappointment and run into the arms of our Saviour, finding there the comfort and hope we all need. Then let that hope spill over from our lives into the lives of those around us. 

Happy Christmas – be blessed.