Merry Christmas,

For the past several weeks, Lori and I have been watching the “Great Conjunction” as it is being called.  The week before Christmas, December 21-24, is when it is most visible.  The great conjunction is when Saturn and Jupiter line up, creating what appears to be a very bright star.  The last time “the great conjunction” was visible from planet earth was 1623; that’s a long time ago.  Claudio Monteverdi would have been in the prime of his career and JS Bach would not be born for another 60 years.

There are many scientists who suggest the great conjunction is  the Bethlehem Star, the star the wise men saw and followed to see Jesus.  Matthew 2 says, “Now after Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judea in the days of Herod the king, behold, wise men from the East came to Jerusalem, saying, “Where is He who has been born King of the Jews? For we have seen His star in the East and have come to worship Him.”

There are a lot of similarities to the people living during the time of the first Bethlehem Star and to us today.

The people on that first Christmas were searching for answers.  To their eyes, it seemed God was silent to their prayers and cries for help.   God through Christ brought them hope, salvation, and redemption.

The people on that first Christmas felt alone and abandoned.  They were living under a government which was directly opposed to righteousness.  God through Christ brought them comfort and peace.

The people on that first Christmas were looking for someone to set them free from tyranny; a ruler who would free them from the bonds of oppression.  God through Christ gave them freedom from sin and the promise of eternal life in Glory with Him.

2020 has been quite a year for all of us.  2020 has brought fear, uncertainty, and a sense that our lives are completely out of control.  I find it amazing that into our world of 2020 God brings us the great conjunction, the Bethlehem Star.  The miracle of Christmas 2020.

God is telling us again that through Christ we can have hope, salvation, and redemption.

God is telling us again that Christ brings us comfort and peace.

God is telling us again that through Christ we can have freedom from sin and the promise of eternal life.

God is reminding us, as he did for the people of the first Christmas, that he is still in control.  We need not fear.

Isaiah 9 says,  “For unto us a Child is born, Unto us a Son is given; And the government will be upon His shoulder. And His name will be called Wonderful, Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.”

2020 has caused us to look down, to look at our surroundings and to lose our focus on the Christ of Bethlehem.  God is giving us the Bethlehem Star to remind us to look up to see the glory of God through Christ.

And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we beheld His glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father, full of grace and truth. (John 1:14)

This Christmas focus your attention on the Christ of Christmas who was announced by the angels and the Star of Bethlehem. Look to the sky (it’s in the southwest at sunset), see the Star of Bethlehem, and be reminded that our God is Sovereign.  We can put our faith, trust, and lives in His Hands.

Lori and I wish each of you a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year.

-Bill Briggs