As the festive season sweeps in, we’re reminded of a precious childhood moment. One evening before Christmas, a six-year-old grandson named Raymond noticed Venus brightly shining in the southern sky. He innocently asked if it could have been the star that led the wise men to Bethlehem. Perhaps it was, but Raymond quickly shifted perspective, pointing out, “We don’t need to go and search for Jesus. They already found him.” What a wonderful truth! He’s already come, and He’s coming again. The focus for all of us must be on Jesus Christ.
The Prophecy of the Bright and Morning Star
This Christmas focus takes us deep into the Old Testament, to Numbers chapter 24, where we find the prophet Balaam. King Balak of Moab, terrified of the two million Israelites who had camped right outside his kingdom’s door, sought to hire Balaam to curse Israel. Balaam was famous—when he blessed or cursed, results happened. Yet, though he tried four times, every word Balaam uttered was a blessing for Israel. Finally, after the third attempt, a furious Balak was ready to dismiss him. But Balaam asked for one last chance to deliver a message—a profound, historic prophecy from God.
In Numbers 24:17, Balaam gave the ultimate prediction:
“I shall see him, but not now: I shall behold him, but not nigh: there shall come a Star out of Jacob, and a Sceptre shall rise out of Israel, and shall smite the corners of Moab, and destroy all the children of Sheth.”
Notice the capitalized words: a Star and a Sceptre. Balaam was prophesying the coming of the Messiah of Israel, the Star of Christmas. This prediction was so vital that it was fulfilled some 1,400 years later when Jesus Christ was born! We can trust God’s word completely. Jesus Himself confirmed this identity in Revelation 22:16 : “I Jesus have sent mine angel to testify unto you these things in the churches. I am the root and the offspring of David, and the bright and morning star.”
The Star of Christmas is Jesus Christ. He is the central figure, the focal point of everything. Like Rembrandt, who painted the Nativity scene with a shaft of light falling exclusively on the Christ child, we need to let our entire focus fall on Jesus.
The Miracle and Marvel of Immanuel
If we turn to Isaiah chapter 7, we find another incredible prophecy, 700 years before Christ’s birth. King Ahaz of Judah was terrified, surrounded by enemies—Israel and Syria—and the looming threat of Assyria. The prophet told him to ask for a sign from God, but Ahaz, in false piety and pride, refused.
In response to Ahaz’s fear and pride, God declared in Isaiah 7:14:
“Therefore the Lord himself shall give you a sign; Behold, a virgin shall conceive, and bear a son, and shall call his name Immanuel.”
The name Immanuel means God with us. This was a miracle birth—a true virgin conception, the only time in human history that has occurred. This was the fulfillment of the Edenic promise in Genesis 3:15 of the conquering seed of the woman. Christ is the God-man, the only One who could destroy the old serpent, the devil.
This was a promise to those in Ahaz’s immediate day, but a far-reaching prophecy for us today. The answer that God gives to man’s battles is astounding: He confronts our crises with His baby. In your moments of battle, distress, or crying, you need the Christ Child. You need the Prince of Peace.
And not only a miracle, but a marvelous birth. Isaiah 9:6 (KJV) proclaims:
“For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given: and the government shall be upon his shoulder: and his name shall be called Wonderful, Counsellor, The mighty God, The everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace.”
He came for us—for you, for me, for every person. He came to live a perfect life and die, shedding His blood as the greatest gift: the gift of eternal life through His perfect atoning sacrifice. He came to this earth to die in our place. What an incredible, meaningful truth.
Our Blinded Society and the Bright Savior
Our world is often blinded to this glorious scene. 2 Corinthians 4:4 explains that “the god of this world hath blinded the minds of them which believe not, lest the light of the glorious gospel of Christ, who is the image of God, should shine unto them.”
We are a distracted people—in darkness, deceived by false religion that says “do this, do this,” while Jesus says, “I already did it.” We have a distraught public with no real hope. The hope that Santa Claus brings lasts only until the last package is unwrapped. The hope that materialism offers lasts only until the next gadget is released. Only the hope of Jesus Christ is worthwhile.
The good news is that while our society is blinded, the Savior is bright! 2 Peter 1:19 reminds us:
“We have also a more sure word of prophecy; whereunto ye do well that ye take heed, as unto a light that shineth in a dark place, until the day dawn, and the day star arise in your hearts.”
The Day Star is Christ, the bright light! He gives life and light. As He said in John 1:4, “In him was life; and the life was the light of men.” He also gives love. As He said in John 15:13, “Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends.” He had no sin, yet He willingly laid down His life for us.
In the midst of the chaos of World War I, in a cold trench on Christmas Eve of 1914, Lieutenant Gitz Wright played a piano carol. The English soldiers sang, and across the way, they could hear the Germans singing, too. In the broken path of war and business, we need to focus on peace on earth, goodwill toward men.
May we not be distracted. Let us focus wholeheartedly on the Star of Christmas, Jesus Christ, and allow that Day Star to arise in our hearts!
💡 Footnotes and Reflections
- 1. The First Prophecy: The first mention of the Messiah is found way back in the Garden of Eden: Genesis 3:15.
- 2. The Day Star in Your Heart: To have the Day Star, Jesus Christ, in your life, you must confess and repent of your sin and believe in the death, burial, and resurrection of Christ for your salvation.
- 3. The Meaning of Immanuel: Immanuel literally means “God with us.”
- 4. Security: The ultimate and only security is not in man’s battles but in the promised baby, as foretold in Isaiah 7.
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