DID YOU SEE “THE STAR”?

by Tammy Phillips
December 22, 2020

When they saw the star, they rejoiced with exceeding great joy. (Matthew 2:10 KJV)

Last night, Saturn and Jupiter aligned.  I have heard that the last time this happened was 800 years ago.  There was a lot of hype about it being the “Christmas Star or the Star of Bethlehem.”   I wanted to see this majestic phenomenon.  Kris and I searched out a field so we could clearly and easily see the south west horizon.  We found the “star.”  My friend, Kristi drove up to the mountains in east Tennessee to find an unobstructed view of the star’s conjunction.  She was an hour ahead of us.  When we located what we thought was the “star,” I texted her and questioned its size and brightness.  She answered that it was pretty, but not too big or too bright.  She confirmed that we were indeed looking at the correct “star.”

To be honest, I was a little disappointed at first.  I was expecting to see a big search light size “star” appear before our eyes.   

Another friend, Sparkle, texted, “Are you looking forward to seeing the Christmas Star tonight?”

I responded, “I was…it was not as I expected. How about you?”  She sent me a picture of a dot in the sky with the reply, “I am not sure if this was it.  It wasn’t what I expected either.”

It only took five minutes for me to get on the web and find what professional photographers captured!    My perspective immediately changed.  Even though most of us could not “see” its splendor nor capture with our eyes what we expected, it does not diminish the fact that the occurrence was spectacular.   It was a once in a lifetime or once every 800 years happening that we were alive to see.  I am sure astronomers were freaking out.   

It is all about perspective.   Two thousand years ago, when the wise men, saw the star, they rejoiced with exceeding joy!  This should have been my immediate response; however, it took me a little while to get there last night.  I should have appreciated the “star,” immediately , instead of looking for the next big thing. 

Israel looked for the King of Kings many, many years before he appeared as a baby, wrapped in swaddling clothes, laying in a manger.  How many people have missed the King because he did not come as they expected in all His majesty? 

Every day, every breath, we should be living amazed by God. Look at creation! It declares His glory.  Every sun that rises and sets illustrates His perfect timing.  I am still amazed at how fast the roots of a poinsettia drank up the water I gave it from a plate.  It did not leave one drop behind.  My friend, that is God’s perfect creation. 

I enCOURAGE you to stop and be in wonder at everything God has blessed us with…Jesus, your spouse, family, children, friends, sunrises and sunsets; oceans and mountains; the rain and snow; trees and flowers; the moon and the stars!   Live amazed by God!