A few Decembers ago, as I was decorating our family’s Christmas tree, I realized we somehow had lost our angel tree topper. I searched high and low to no avail and then ordered another angel online. That angel didn’t work out. It was big and beautiful, but once mounted on top of the tree, it looked like a bird of prey ready to swoop down and attack. So, I displayed the angel on a bookshelf with other decorations, stuck a bow on the tree top, and called it a day.
The next year, I got a star tree topper. Our daughter, who strongly prefers an angel atop her Christmas tree, didn’t like it then and doesn’t like it now. When I put it up this December, she yelled, “Are you even a CHRISTIAN?!”
I too prefer an angel, but in defending our star, I’ve come to think a star actually might be the holier choice. Of course, we have the star of Bethlehem that the magi follow to find the baby Jesus – a story we read in this Sunday’s Gospel text. Jesus refers to himself as the “Morning Star” in the Book of Revelation. (Rev. 22:16). And we also have this Old Testament prophecy, understood by Christians to be about Jesus: “A star shall come out of Jacob, and a scepter shall rise out of Israel.” (Numbers 24:17). These words are spoken by the prophet Balaam. (If you’re not familiar with Balaam and his talking donkey, read Numbers 22. There’s nothing in the Bible quite like it.)
I’ll add one more star to the mix – the North Star. The North Star, also called Polaris, is located almost directly above the North Pole. This makes it a fixed point in the night sky while other stars appear to rotate around it. When someone says a person or thing is their “North Star”, they’re typically talking about their source of guidance and grounding in life.
You see where I’m going with this, yes? For us Christians, Jesus is our North Star.
Here’s an idea that might help you treat Jesus as the star that he is. Consider it a New Year’s resolution. Simply invite Jesus into your internal experiences. Are you worried about something? Invite him into your worry. Are you longing for something? Invite him into the longing. He wants to be a part of it.
The kingdom of God works on the basis of invitation. Jesus will never force his way into your life. He will never force you to follow him or to love him. He will only invite, which means we can invite him too.
The chief time that most of us extend this invitation to Jesus is when we feel desperate. We invite him in because we are in crisis and we need him. Well, why not invite him in at other times? Whenever you are aware of an emotion – anger, frustration, disappointment, joy, contentment – ask Jesus to share it with you. To support you in it. To speak to you through it if there’s something he wants you to know.
It takes a bit of practice, but over time, you will feel the nearness of his presence and learn to recognize his voice. He will reveal himself to you. What’s more? He will reveal who you are to him – beautiful, beloved, and bright from his light within you.
Adrian+