The night sky filled with stars is one of the most breath taking sights in all creation. Can you imagine the starry Christmas night many years ago? What a sight that must have been!

As the psalmist wrote,

“The Lord determines the number of the stars and calls each of them by name.”
-Psalm 147:4

As we journey through Advent, we will gaze at the stars and hear from various friends from our congregation, pondering their star’s unique name. Each thoughtful reflection will help us all see Advent and Christmas in new light. Enjoy!

Today’s reflection is from Pastor Matt Staniz:

Hold

Christmas Day blessings to you, dear child of God! As we arrive at the culmination of Advent Starry Night, the final star in our virtual planetarium is Hold. Church sanctuaries and worship livestreams around the world have been swept up in both singing and listening to the invitation extended to us as we enter the 12-day season of Christmas: Come and BEHOLD him; born the king of angels! I always experience a deep comfort in singing those majestic words, accompanied by soaring pipe organ and a joyous congregation, while contemplating the beauty and vulnerability of a newborn baby held by a young mother in Bethlehem. All of the power and majesty of God contained in that baby. Yea, Lord, we greet thee, born this happy morning; Jesus, to thee be all glory given! As we behold our newborn king, we can also rest in the good news that Christmas brings us: God has come down into our world and into our lives—even into the parts that are messy and even painful. God has arrived for you to behold, and promises to hold you through everything that you face: all that you carry from the past, all that you experience today, all that you will find in a future still unwritten. The Holy One born in Bethlehem is the same yesterday, today, and forever. May the light of Christ shine into your life this Christmas and be the brightest star in your sky.

Gracious God, just as you came down into the manger of Bethlehem, come down into our lives and our hearts. May we greet you with joy as our savior, behold you as our king, and follow you with faithful obedience as our Lord. Shine the light of your love into our lives, that it might shine through us into the world that you loved enough to send Jesus. May our lives reflect your love during the season of Christmas and throughout the year ahead. Amen.