TGOC: Director

An aspect of the glory of Christmas is that everybody can be the star in the Christmas story. To be clear, this is not about everybody who plays getting a participation trophy without actually being on the winning team. Rather, this is simply about literally doing what the star in the Christmas story did: shine bright in a dark setting and point people to the Savior. In a sense, we get to be His star that points people to THE STAR: Jesus, the true Glory of Christmas. Have you ever noticed the descriptor of the star in the Christmas story?

“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 saw his star when it rose and have come to worship him.’” Matthew 2:1-2

The star pointing others to the Savior is described as the Savior’s star. It was “his” star that rose in the sky and pointed those seeking Jesus to the place where Jesus could be found. From a certain point of view, the star in the sky is like the director of the story. The director gives direction in such a way that everyone knows their place to best point the audience to the main point of the story. Once the director plays out that role, all that is left is for God to do what God does. Matthew goes on to quote the Savior’s words about being His illumination in a dark setting that points the way to others.

“You are the light of the world. A city set on a hill cannot be hidden. Nor do people light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on a stand, and it gives light to all in the house. In the same way, let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father who is in heaven.” Matthew 5:14-16

“Joel”, our director from the video, did just what the Christmas star is meant to do. He did what he could to put everything and everybody in the story in their places that it caused the focus to shine on the Savior in a way that everybody saw Jesus. That is what a director is supposed to do: make sure the lights shine on the true star at the center of the story. Jesus is the center of the glory of Christmas. And yet, everybody can be “His” star.

It is worth noting that playing the role of “His” star means continuing to shine and guide those seeking the Savior all the way until they find Him. The star in the story did not stop shining and guiding the wise men in verse 2. The star continued shining the way to Jesus while the journey was being made by the wise men.

“After listening to the king, they went on their way. And behold, the star that they had seen when it rose went before them until it came to rest over the place where the child was . When they saw the star, they rejoiced exceedingly with great joy. And going into the house they saw the child with Mary his mother, and they fell down and worshiped him. Then, opening their treasures, they offered him gifts, gold and frankincense and myrrh.” Matthew 2:9-11 (emphasis mine)

People seek the Savior at different paces in life. Being “His” star means not giving up on guiding others until their paths cross His. Letting our light shine before others so they can see how our lives consistently love others and bless others out of a motivation to love God with all our heart is how we shine for the Savior in a dark world. Our love motivated by Jesus is a light in a dark world that helps dispel darkness and point people to the hope, peace, joy, and love found in Him and Him alone as the Savior of the world. It is the good news of the gospel that we share not only through our words, but also with our lives. This is what Paul was describing in his first letter to the Christians at Thessalonica.

“So, being affectionately desirous of you, we were ready to share with you not only the gospel of God but also our own selves, because you had become very dear to us. For you remember, brothers, our labor and toil: we worked night and day, that we might not be a burden to any of you while we proclaimed to you the gospel of God. You are witnesses, and God also, how holy and righteous and blameless was our conduct toward you believers. For you know how, like a father with his children, we exhorted each one of you and encouraged you and charged you to walk in a manner worthy of God, who calls you into his own kingdom and glory.” 1 Thessalonians 2:8-12

The glory of Christmas is that you get to be “His” star that helps illuminate a dark world as long as it takes for those who need to meet Jesus to do so. Many times the lives we live, the words we say, the experiences we share with others are what God will use to shine a light on what is missing in someone else’s life. God often does what God does when we make our lives available to burn bright for His glory and as a result, draw people to the One who we worship, adore, and follow as Savior and Lord.

As we live our lives as “His” stars, pointing people to the Messiah while shining brightly in whatever darkness God has placed us, we are on our way to being what is described in the Old Testament book of Daniel.

“And those who are wise shall shine like the brightness of the sky above; and those who turn many to righteousness, like the stars forever and ever.” Daniel 12:3

Our role as “His” stars will keep shining brightly throughout eternity as we keep pointing people to Him. This is an aspect of the glory of Christmas. We have a role in this story. We get to be “His” star that points to THE STAR.

May our lives and our words, our works and worship, all point people to Jesus. If we will be faithful to shine, Jesus will be faithful to save. We see this metaphor of being light in darkness and being used for the saving purposes of our Savior surfacing in the Bible over and over again as we read.

“For at one time you were darkness, but now you are light in the Lord. Walk as children of light.”

Ephesians 5:8

“Again Jesus spoke to them, saying, ‘I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will not walk in darkness, but will have the light of life.’” John 8:12

“And we have something more sure, the prophetic word, to which you will do well to pay attention as to a lamp shining in a dark place, until the day dawns and the morning star rises in your heart…But you are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for his own possession, that you may proclaim the excellencies of him who called you out of darkness into his marvelous light.” 1 Peter 1:19; 2:9

“For God, who said, ‘Let light shine out of darkness,’ has shone in our hearts to give the light of knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ.” 2 Corinthians 4:6

This Christmas may we each experience an aspect of the glory of Christmas as we play the part of “His” star. May our lives shine bright and consistently until all whom we have the privilege and responsibility to help guide are able to find themselves in the presence of the One who came to save us: Christ Jesus.