As we enter the Christmas season, we launched a new five-part series called The Lights of Christmas: Witness the Wonder. Each week focuses on a different character who helps us prepare our hearts for the coming of Jesus. Today we turned our attention to the Star.

Stars have stirred human imagination since the beginning. From the Hale-Bopp comet to the Aurora Borealis, they remind us of the vastness of God’s creation. Neil DeGrasse Tyson says every star we see is a sun with its own solar system and that when we look up, we are literally looking back in time. Scripture goes even further, describing God as the star-breather: “By the word of the Lord the heavens were made, their starry host by the breath of his mouth” (Psalm 33:6)

The same God who fills the skies with wonders used one star to draw the world toward its true Light.

The Star

Matthew tells us the Magi saw a star rise after Jesus was born and traveled from the East to worship Him. Jesus was likely a toddler when they arrived, having taken the Magi 12-18 months to prepare and make their 900-mile journey. Their arrival would not have been three guys on camels but a large entourage of 50-100 people.

Why did they care? Why Jerusalem? Their roots trace all the way back to Daniel. Daniel’s leadership among Babylon’s wise men centuries earlier meant Jewish prophecies were known in the East. When the Magi saw a new celestial sign, they began to connect it to the coming King foretold in Numbers 24.17:
A star will come out of Jacob; a scepter will rise out of Israel.

So they followed the star. Herod, threatened and afraid, called Scripture experts who pointed the Magi to Bethlehem from the prophecy in Micah. The star reappeared, guiding the Magi to Jesus, where they bowed, worshiped, and offered gifts of gold, frankincense, and myrrh.

Two Hearts on Display

The Magi – Hearts Open to God

• Expectant – Watching, waiting, spiritually attentive
• Obedient – They acted on what God revealed
• Overjoyed – They rejoiced when the star led them
• Worshipful – They bowed before Jesus and offered costly treasures

Herod – Heart Closed to God

• Unaware – The King of kings was born in his territory and he missed it
• Disturbed – God’s activity felt like a threat instead of hope
• Conniving – He used religious language to mask evil intent
• Rebellious – He refused to bow, choosing resistance and violence

The same sign that led one group to worship led another to fear.

What We Learn From the Star

1. God

The star was not the point but the sign. God used something familiar to the Magi to get their attention and guide them forward.

God still does this. He speaks through:
Creation – His invisible qualities seen in what He made
Circumstances – Trials that form perseverance
People – Lives that shine with the light of Christ
His Word – A lamp for our feet
His Spirit – Guiding us into truth

Just as God used a circumstance to redirect the preacher’s life in his twenties, God uses circumstances, beauty, Scripture, and people to draw each of us toward Jesus

What sign might God be using to get your attention today?

2. God Leads You Step by Step

The Magi did not know everything. They simply took the next faithful step. God revealed enough for the journey, not the entire map

God works the same way with us. The question is: What step is God inviting you to take?

To help you reflect, we provided “Pause, Pray, Ask” cards:
Pause – Slow down and look up
Pray – Bring your needs, hopes, and people before God
Ask – Extend an invitation for someone to come and see Jesus

We took time in the service to pause, pray, and ask — trusting that God leads hearts one step at a time.

God used a star to guide seekers to the Savior. He still uses signs, Scripture, and the Spirit to guide people today. The question the Magi force us to ask is simple and searching

Is my heart open like theirs… or closed like Herod’

May we be people who watch, listen, follow, and worship. May we be people who witness the wonder of Jesus this Christmas.

Message recap adapted from the November 30, 2025, message by Minister Jed Logue.

Message Notes & Slides

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