Follow the star

After they had heard the king, they went on their way, and the star they had seen when it rose went ahead of them until it stopped over the place where the child was. When they saw the star, they were overjoyed. On coming to the house, they saw the child with his mother Mary, and they bowed down and worshiped him. Then they opened their treasures and presented him with gifts of gold, frankincense, and myrrh. 

Matthew 2: 9-11

This morning my devotional was about the star of Bethlehem. I was blessed to have a quiet moment in my morning to stop and read and pray over these verses while Eva was still sleeping. The burlap star above is the only Christmas decoration I added to my collection this year. The moment I saw it I really liked it. We have a cross on the top of our tree instead of a star because it reminds me that even on the first Christmas morning, God had a forever plan of bringing salvation to us through Jesus. Eva has enjoyed turning the lights on for it each day and notices when the lights are not shining through it {there is something wonderful about seeing the lights sparkling all day long}. Now it reminds me of how the wise men knew that the star they saw was from God. They knew they were following the light of that star to their new king. And when they found that baby king they bowed down and worshiped. They gave him their best treasures.

This is my hope for this Christmas week. That in the middle of the craziness of traveling with a two year old or the excitement of unwrapping gifts I would look to the star each day and remember. That I would bow my heart and give thanks and praise to the Savior who was born so long ago. My best treasure to give Jesus is my love and praise.

I know I've read this passage before, but it always seems to get passed over during the reading of the story of the birth of Jesus. Hopefully sharing this will encourage somebody else to stop and remember the star, to bow down and worship.