Star of Bethlehem

Once upon a time, there was a star. Perhaps he grew up no different to any of the other stars - we never can be quite sure of these things - but this star had a very special purpose.

In a time when all the world was changing until it would never be the same again, this little star was called to be a constant.

Out of all the stars in the whole galaxy, he was set apart and set in place by an almighty hand. His place in the heavenlies was so particular and so incredibly important, that should he move out of it, history would have gone a little bit differently.

From where he sat, this star could see a stable. It was slightly set back from the dimly glowing lights of the town, cut away into the rocks of the hills behind. Providing shelter from both man and the elements, the bustle of bodies moving about was stilled by the time you reached it's mouth, and the wind and rain could not quite reach inside.

During the day, a few animals had been led in to rest and the straw had been laid down for them to sleep for the night. Daylight moved on, darkness blanketed the surrounding hills and soon the lights of the town fell silent. Then the star watched as something peculiar happened.

A young girl, who could be no more than sixteen, appeared on the path, riding on a donkey. The donkey was led by a weary-looking man, carrying a small sack with little provisions. Upon arriving at the mouth of the stable, he gently lifted the girl down and laid her tenderly in the straw. The animals began to crowd round the couple, as the man led the donkey to a watering trough. It might be expected that the animals were attempting to push the couple off their land, yet they bowed their heads down towards the girl, and made no signs of aggressive advancement. Instead they cautiously stepped forwards, with simple curiosity.

The girl's skin was so young and delicate. Her clothes were plain and worn. Her hands, clasping her swollen belly, looked thin but not afraid of a hard day's work. Her soft features were framed by a mane of thick, curly hair, gently pulled back so as not to be in the way during the day's travel. Despite her girlish beauty, however, she did not look a vision of peace. The star could see her face was straining and contorting in pain, and her body was shaking from the cool chill of such a cloudless night.

The man was desperately trying to soothe her as she cried out in pain, holding her close to his chest, stroking her hair, speaking soft words through her anguish. The animals, sensing her distress, inched forward further. They began to circle the two strangers to their stable, and the man looked up at them with wary eyes. Then one of them sat, just alongside where the girl was laying. Another behind the man. Yet another behind the girl. Until they had created a circle around the two of them, protecting them from the cold wind, and providing a support for the young girl.

Hours passed and still heart-breaking cries were audible from the secluded stable.

And then, just as the dark began to release it's grip on the town below, there was a final cry, followed by a sigh of relief and delight. The star saw as the man gently lifted a bundle up to the girl's chest. She immediately embraced the bundle, a baby boy, and held it tight, just like the man had held her so many hours ago. Despite her joy, the girl was evidently exhausted, so the man took the bundle back from her, and placed it in the now-empty water trough from which the donkey had drank at their arrival. Watching him do so, a few of the animals moved towards the child too, and peered over, their breath warming his new-born cheeks.

The man lay back down in the straw, next to the girl, engulfing her in his embrace, swallowing her in to the safety of his arms. Her body became weak and limp, her eyes closed, and within moments, her breathing was soft and deep. Filled with joy, pride, relief, yet a lurking sense of foreboding, the man looked up at the star.

For a moment they knew each other. They could see exactly where the other was. One saw a new family. A loving mother and father, and a son who was born for more than either of them could have seen. And the other saw a star, who shone brighter than the others around him, directly above where this child lay.

Morning shuffled in and the star could not be seen, but the star still saw. The star watched movement reawaken in the town as the day's work began and people left their homes pulling carts and carrying baskets. But all was bliss in the stable. The family were in a world above the rest.

As the days passed, that star's place became more and more important. The couple in the stable had done their part for now. Now it was the star's turn. Visitors arrived, in time, guided by the light of that star. They brought gifts, sometimes simply of wonder and respect, but nothing would have been brought, if it had not been for that star.

Oh that I could be like that star. I want to be a guiding light towards the child in the stable. May people see me, and know where to go. May I always encourage people to bring their gifts, whoever they are, and whatever those gifts may be. May I embrace the darkness, as it is then that I have the opportunity to stand out most. May I remain where God places me, even if it means staying alone. May I always be found pointing to my Saviour.