How to Find the Spirit of Christmas: Follow the Star

Christmas can come and go without anticipation or fanfare. I've heard too many adults say that as the years pass they loss the spirit of Christmas.

Christmas should be anything but a "grin and bear it season." The spirit of Christmas is not an amorphous enigma awaiting the world to solve its riddle. The Spirit of Christmas is found in a person: Jesus. If you seek Him you will find a place of refuge in the Spirit of the Season rather than trudging around carrying the weight of the holidays on your shoulders.

Often our holiday routines become so busy we don't have time to squeeze in Christ. The best some of us can do is toss a plastic manger scene on the lawn.

Interestingly enough, in the prophetic book of Isaiah, in the Old Testament, a prediction of Christ's birth is given in chapter 9. Many are familiar with verse of prophecy,

"Unto us a Child is born, unto us a Son is given; the government will rest on His shoulders; And His Name will be called Wonderful Counselor, Almighty God, Eternal Father; Prince of Peace."

However, back up to verse two in Isaiah 9 and you may find a new perspective on this piece of the Christmas story. Isaiah 9:2 says,

"The people who walk in darkness will see a great light; Those who live in a dark land, The light will shine upon them."

As I read these words I was reminded of the star in Bethlehem. I believe that, like many Old Testament Stories, this piece of Scripture is a type of things to be revealed at a future time. Some of which occurred in the New Testament of the Bible.

The star that shone brightly above the young child still lights the way through the darkness today. I thought of the Magi, wise men, who traveled from the east (Matthew 2:1-11). The star guided the Magi, wise men, from the East. As astronomers, they knew the skies, the layout of the stars, and recognized the anomaly of the star that rose upon the birth of Jesus. Not only did they recognized something unique was happening I believe they knew of the ancient prophecies of a Savior.

They had to realize that this was an extraordinary event. We aren't told much about the Magi, but we do know that they brought gifts appropriate for a King. When they found him, he was probably about two years old (Matthew 2:11). Yet these sage men, who had traveled great distances, over rugged terrain, bowed their knees and worshipped Him. Did they know that the gifts they brought; gold, frankincense, and myrrh; not only honored him, but pointed to His later death on their behalf?

As you read Isaiah 9:2 and consider it in light of the account of Jesus' birth in Matthew it is exhilarating. This alone is enough to stir the Spirit of Christmas.
The star that would shine over a thousand years later in the small city of Bethlehem has always shined to light the way for those in darkness.

Sometimes it shines through a star, sometimes it shows through believers. Jesus said that we are the light of the world. The important thing is, the light that shown over 1000 years before Jesus was born lit the sky at his birth and beyond. And the glorious truth is that His star still lights the way to Himself: our Wonderful Counselor; Mighty God; Everlasting Father, and Prince of Peace. It is in Him alone that we will find the refuge and sanctuary that we seek during the busy holiday season.

In Isaiah 9:3 that the prophet declared, "You shall increase their gladness; They will be glad in Your presence."

Notice it says we will be glad in His presence, not in PRESENTS. Perhaps much of the stress of the holidays would be relieved if only we could grasp the Truth of these words.

Maybe this year, when you see a star a-top a tree and look at the glistening lights you will be reminded of the Light of the World, Jesus Christ. The light that led the children of Israel by night, the light that God promised to shine on His children Israel, the light that shown in Bethlehem still shines today.

For those who desire stress relief from the holidays all you have to do is look for the Light, Jesus, and find His presence. There you'll find great gladness and peace.