JOIN USA little more than 2,000 years ago, in an obscure town of Bethlehem, one lone star was set apart from the rest on a chilly and dark night. The frosty atmosphere did little to deter the star from spreading its warmth.
Through its radiance, it seemed to announce that something extraordinary was looming on the face of the universe. The twinkle from its rays merrily beaconed the shepherds keeping watch over their flock by night.
The luminous light of the star made a loud proclamation transcending the silent night. “I am here to give you good news of great joy, that will be for all the people; Today a Saviour has been born to you in David’s town; He is Christ the Lord,” (Luke 2, 10-12), the message from the heavens resonated through the hilly town.
The lone star was also the guiding light for the three wise men in search of the newborn Saviour. “The star they had seen in the East went ahead of them and stopped over the place where the child was.” (Matthew 2, 9). While the star glowed bright, a great multitude of angels was heard: “Glory to God in the highest and on earth peace to all in whom He delights.” (Luke 2, 14).
The Christmas Star thus became a symbol of great significance to Christians over the world, who today, recall with joy and festivity that first Christmas that brought the Saviour Himself into this world. It has since become customary to hang brightly coloured stars in front of homes and churches during the Christmas season.
Ruminating on its deeper connotation, greater and more profound messages emerge. At the bottom of it is the truth that radiance comes to the one who dares to stop where Christ is and to shine for Him. And that brings with it the two pertinent questions, where is Christ today? And how can one shine for Him?
Jesus Christ, as always, resides among the poor. He is abiding with those who suffer silently due to communal violence, sexual exploitation, helpless harassment and unfair treatment. He is present among those deprived of bare necessities, genuine justice and basic birth rights.
He lives with neglected children, the sickly and the uncared members of society. He is omnipresent in every Church, religious congregation and among those who reach out to the needy.
One can, therefore, find Christ and shine for Him through simple acts of kindness and love towards all those who need to be loved and treated with kindness. As Calvin Coolidge put it, “Christmas is not a time nor a season, but a state of mind. To cherish peace and goodwill, to be plenteous in mercy, is to have the real spirit of Christmas.”