Shining a Light

Sometimes we all need a little light in our lives.

For the last several years I have hung a multi-sided Moravian star on our front porch at Christmas. A light bulb on the inside shines day and night and it acts as a porch light for our old house, as well as lighting our front room at night.

The stars were originally constructed by German Moravians as a way to teach geometry to students but soon came to symbolize the star of Bethlehem during Christmas. They are a connection for me to my North Carolina roots, where they are a big part of the Christmas décor around Winston-Salem and Greensboro due to the Moravians who settled there in the 1700’s.

I normally leave it up all winter and take it down as February ends. Last year my neighbor Jack complained when I took it down – apparently, he liked looking across our country lane and seeing a light at our house.

So this year I thought – Why not leave it up? I could use a light all year long.

I like having it there, especially as we begin this Holy Week. It reminds me of the beginning of Jesus’ life on earth when the star led the shepherds and wise men to Bethlehem. The wise men saw the star and followed it into town.

“Where is the child born to be king of the Jews?” they asked. “We saw his star in the east and have come to worship him.” (Matt. 2:2)

The distance between Christmas and Easter is only a little more than three months for us, yet it represents the thirty-three years we are told Jesus had on earth. We continue to worship Him.

The website of the Moravian Church says this about its Moravian star:

Whatever its form, the star reminds us of God, who caused the light to shine out of darkness and of the light which is the life of humanity… The Light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it. This is the message of the Advent star, which also points to Jesus, who said, “I am the bright and Morning Star.”

 It is the star of promise, the star of fulfillment, and the star of hope.

On Sunday I had a long day and was gone from morning until almost dark. As I rounded the corner to my house, I saw the star shining on the front porch, warm and inviting, lighting my way home.

I pray that you find this same light of promise, fulfillment and hope during this special week leading to Easter.