'His Life brought light to everyone. The light shines in the darkness and the darkness can never extinguish it.' John 1:4b-5 (NLT)
The nights in Bethlehem during the cold of winter are usually dark and dreary at this time of year. However during the days around the birth of Jesus Christ, about 2030 years ago, a brilliant star shone over the night skies in Bethlehem.
In the year 2020 from the 21st Dec, the planets Jupiter and Saturn lined up so close together that they appeared as a bright shining star. Johannes Kepler, an astronomer in the 17th Century, calculated that a similar conjunction occurred in the year 7 BCE when three planets Mars, Jupiter and Saturn aligned to produce a supernova. The next time such a phenomenon may occur again will be in the year 2080.
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A graphic made from a simulation program, showing a view of the 2020 great conjunction through the naked eye just after sunset at approximately 5:15 p.m. (EST) on 21 Dec 2020 - Nasa |
The Apostle John connected the supernova event, now referred to as the Christmas Star to the birth of Jesus, in the opening sentences of the Gospel of John.
'In Him (Jesus) was life, and the life was the light of men. And the light shines in the the darkness, and the darkness did not comprehend it.' John 1:4-5 (NKJV)
The Light shines in the darkness over the night skies of Bethlehem. In 7 BCE no one anticipated this event nor understood its significance save the wise men, astronomers or astrologers, who came from the east. They connected the supernova with the birth of the Baby Jesus and went in search of Him.
'Now after Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judea, in the days of Herod the king, behold wise men came to Jerusalem, saying, "Where is he who was born the King of the Jews? For we have seen His star in the East and have come to worship Him." Matthew 2:1-2 (NKJV)
They knew that the prophecy of Isaiah was being fulfilled
'The people walking in darkness have seen a great light; on those living in the land of darkness a light has dawned.' Isaiah 9:2
The Advent season is celebrated by Christians in various churches and homes during the 4 Sundays leading to Christmas day. The lighting of a candle at the start of the worship service signifies the light that shines in darkness. There are 5 candles altogether, three purple candles symbolising Hope, Peace and Love. A rose red candle is lit for Joy on the 3rd Sunday. Then, at the Christmas service, a white candle is lit together with the other four candles.
This period of the Advent, marks the beginning of the liturgical year in the Methodist and other western Christianity Calendar. Christians wait and anticipate the celebration of Jesus' birth on Christmas Day and at the same time eagerly yearn for the Second coming, when Christ shall come again victoriously.
The lighting of these candle enacts the light that shone during that first Christmas to announce the birth of Jesus Christ, the Light of the World.
'When Jesus spoke again to the people, He said, "I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness, but will have the Light of Life." John 8:12
Simeon at the temple in Jerusalem was also waiting and anticipating the coming of the Messiah.
'At that time there was a man in Jerusalem named Simeon. He was righteous and devout and was eagerly awaiting for the Messiah to come and rescue Israel. The Holy Spirit was upon him and had revealed to him that he would not die until he he had seen the Lord's Messiah.' Luke 2: 25-26 (NLT)
When the boy Jesus was presented to Simeon, he proclaimed
'For my eyes have seen Your salvation, which You have prepared in the sight of all nations: a light for revelation to the Gentiles and the glory of Your people Israel.' Luke 2:30-31
Like the wise men from the East, in this season, let us we keeping watch and looking for the Light of Jesus Christ to shine upon us. 'Shine Jesus Shine'
Lord, the light of your love is shining
In the midst of the darkness, shining
Jesus, Light of the world, shine upon us
Set us free by the truth you now bring us
Shine on me, shine on me
Shine, Jesus, shine
Fill this land with the Father's glory
Blaze, Spirit, blaze
Set our hearts on fire
Flow, river, flow
Flood the nations with grace and mercy
Send forth your word
Lord, and let there be light
Lord, I come to your awesome presence
From the shadows into your radiance
By the blood I may enter your brightness
Search me, try me, consume all my darkness
Shine on me, shine on me
Shine, Jesus, shine
Fill this land with the Father's glory
Blaze, Spirit, blaze
Set our hearts on fire
Flow, river, flow
Flood the nations with grace and mercy
Send forth your word
Lord, and let there be light
As we gaze on your kingly brightness
So our faces display your likeness
Ever changing from glory to glory
Mirrored here may our lives tell your story
Shine on me, shine on me
Shine, Jesus, shine
Fill this land with the Father's glory
Blaze, Spirit, blaze
Set our hearts on fire
Flow, river, flow
Flood the nations with grace and mercy
Send forth your word
Lord, and let there be
Send forth your
Send forth your word
Lord, and let there
Send forth your word
Send forth your word
Lord, and let there be light
Lionel
Ong Cheng Leng wrote
ReplyDeletePray whenever we sing “ shine Jesus shine”, we will also pray in our heart, “ shine Christians shine “!
We have been commissioned to preach the Gospel of Christ by shining example as Christians!
Thank you, Dr Lionel for this very interesting sharing on the star of Christ's birth.
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