The Star of Bethlehem can be seen...
 

by Nisansala R. Aryachandra

Tonight we have made reservations - for a dinner dance with our friends and loved ones, or maybe an exclusive dinner at a posh restaurant just for you and your family. Oh yes, haven't forgotten to go to church - early though, so that we can get ready to celebrate, maybe go to church in the morning so that we can finish it off early... This is Christmas now.

Some 2000 years ago "there was no room for them in the inn" (Luke 2:7) and today, still there is no room for Him, in your home and in your heart.

In all the festivities, rush and celebrations of the Christmas season, we forget the true meaning of us celebrating this day. We celebrate the birth of Christ, without Him. If you think about it, it's like celebrating and holding a b'day party without the one whose b'day we are supposed to be commemorating. It's the birth of Jesus Christ, and He is not even welcome in our home!

Now, we have Christmas, but do we have Christ?

Star of Bethlehem

I can tell a story that may have been told in all the languages in the world and passed on from generations to generations and will never cease being told, but the Star of Bethlehem is so dim to most of us now, it will only be seen by looking beyond the manger to that day when "Unto us a child is born, unto us a Son is given, and the government will be upon His shoulder.

And His name will be called Wonderful Advisor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace" (Isaiah 9:6)

It's difficult to put into words God's love, His mercy, His forgiveness and all His might. I recall a few sentences from C.S Lewis' book The Screwtape Letters. It is a comparison of God's love and what He is not. I hope you will be able to understand when God is referred to and when He is not, I think I have found in these words the most fitting description of Who God is:

"...as long as He lives on earth, periods of emotional and bodily richness and liveliness will alternate with periods of numbness and poverty. We want cattle who can finally become food, He wants servants who can finally become sons.

We want to suck in, He wants to give out. We are empty and would be filled, He is full and flows over. He leaves the creature to stand up on its own legs - to carry out from the will alone duties which have lost all relish - that it is growing into the sort of creature He wants it to be.

...He will set them off with communication of his presence which, though faint, seem great to them, with emotional sweetness, and easy conquest over temptation"

Holy birth

I cannot do justice by only writing what I feel the true meaning of Christmas is. I believe the significance of the Holy Birth is uniquely etched in all of us in so many ways that only by telling a few stories of the many stories that have been told about that 'one story' could do justice, and hope one of it, atleast may speak to your heart and soul.

I came across a publication issued by the RBC Ministries (Christmas Edition: The Gift of Christmas) that has compiled a collection of stories based on personal experiences and parables written by people about how it brought them closer to God and showed them the true meaning of Christmas. It is such a pity that I cannot give in length its complete compilation, but it would be a loss to not even give the little I can. So here it follows:

"During the World War II, it became a custom in the US for family who had a son serving in the military to place a star in a front window of their home. A gold star indicated that the son had died in support of his country's cause... One night a man was walking down a New York City street with his 5 year old son.

The little boy was interested in the brightly lighted windows of the houses and wanted to know why some houses has a star in the window... At last they came to an empty lot, and a break in the row of houses. Through the gap a star could be seen shining brightly in the sky.

The little child caught his breath, "Oh, Daddy, look at the star in the window of heaven! God must have given His son too." Yes indeed! There is a star in God's window. Do you realise what He did for you?" (By M. R. De Haan, M.D.)

"According to tradition, a Christmas song once brought peace to a battlefield. It happened on Christmas Eve during the Franco-German War (1870-1871) as the two sides faced each other in their trenches.

A French soldier jumped up and began singing "O Holy Night." The surprised German soldiers did not fire. Instead, one of them stepped forward to sing "From Heaven Above To Earth I Come." For a brief time at least, peace on earth prevailed and goodwill was shared among men whose job it was to kill each other..." A thrill of hope" is what those men needed in the darkness of that winter night. Hope is what "the dear Saviour's birth" provides..." (By Dave Branon)

"In Acts 10:39, the cross of Calvary is called a tree. It's also referred to this way in Acts 5:30, Acts 13:29, Galatians 3:13 and 1 Peter 2:24. At this season when much attention is paid to the Christmas tree covered with tinsel..., the rugged cross of Calvary might well be called the forgotten tree of Christmas.

Many people completely overlook the purpose for which Jesus came to earth. The true significance of His birth can be lost in the trappings, gift-giving, and party going...He came to give His life as a sacrifice for sin by hanging on a tree - not a tinsel covered thing of beauty, but an ugly, cruel instrument of execution...

As we remember our Saviour's birth in Bethlehem's stable, let's be deeply conscious that it is vitally related to Golgotha's hill where He was crucified, and where He shed His blood for the sins of the world..."(by Richard De Haan)

True meaning

Tonight, you need not look up in the sky for the Star that guided the three wise men hundreds of years ago.

And don't question if you see the Christmas tree that looked so beautiful covered in lights and ornaments now looks so dim yet so complete...

Many of us yearn to see that Star again. We search everywhere and yet do not find it. The Star of Bethlehem can be seen - but only if you look within yourself.

Let it dawn in your heart by making room for Jesus Christ and let Him be born again in your life. Then you'll know the very true meaning of Christmas.

Make room for Jesus Christ in your heart and let Christ the Saviour be born again in your life.

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