THE SAPLING’S STAR

The night is cold, it is bitter cold,

and the trees are moving, creaking,

screeching in the cold, dark, winter night,

as the stars begin their peeking.

They can see the patch where the maples grow,

nestled in for winter, napping,

and beneath the trunk of a mighty red,

they can see the smallest sapling.

They are shown a strength in its tiny limbs,

of a promise building, keeping,

of a hope to give unsparingly,

of love for the woodland sleeping.

And they wonder who is showing this,

in whose light a-basking, savoring?

High above the sapling is its Star,

shining brightly, ever favoring!

But thou, Bethlehem Ephratah,

though thou be little among the thousands of Judah,

yet out of thee shall he come forth unto me

that is to be ruler in Israel;

whose goings forth have been from of old,

from everlasting.

Micah 5:2

THE SAPLING’S STAR

When the full moon shines here in Veery Glade, a nighttime walk is mystical. Moon shadows streak across a snow-covered woodland floor to a maple sapling by its parent. In starlight, we ponder the height and majesty the baby tree can reach.

For God so loved the world,

that he gave his only begotten Son,

that whosoever believeth in him should not perish,

but have everlasting life.

John 3:16

Good News! The Designer of the Bethlehem Star loves us! 

The carefully orchestrated birth of Christ began at the beginning of time. Let there be Light! Knitted together in His mother's womb, fearfully and wonderfully, God ensures His love to us with the birth of His Son, Jesus Christ. His Bethlehem Star shone a light on the giving of His most precious gift.

For thou hast possessed my reins: thou hast covered me in my mother’s womb. I will praise thee; for I am fearfully and wonderfully made: marvelous are thy works; and that my soul knoweth right well.

Psalm 139:13-14

Through the prophet Micah 700 years before the birth of Christ, God tells us that from the tribe of Judah, in the town of Bethlehem, He would call to Himself a Ruler from everlasting. Micah prophesied of a restored kingship in a kingdom lasting forever. Micah waited for the arrival.

So shall my word be

that goeth forth out of my mouth:

it shall not return unto me void,

but it shall accomplish that which I please,

and it shall prosper in the thing 

whereto I sent it.

Isaiah 55:11

Do you recognize the sovereignty of the Designer who proclaimed the very first words ‘Let there be Light’? Do you hear the authority of our Creator who created the stars and named them? Do you feel the presence of Him who sent the one-of-a-kind Bethlehem Star?

Who being the brightness of his glory

and the express image of his person,

and upholding all things by the word of his power, 

when he had by himself purged our sins, sat down 

on the right hand of the Majesty on high.

Hebrews 1: 3

We are fortunate to know the prophecies written in the Bible and see their fulfillment. Like Micah, we wait too— for Christ’s second coming. Those who wait on the Lord shall renew their wings. They will see restored kingship in marvelous light.

For it pleased the Father that in him

should all fullness dwell.

Colossians 1:19

Be encouraged to pray. Specific prayer lets us know God is working specifically. Bring what weighs heavy on your heart to the Everlasting Father in Jesus’ name and see what light He sheds on it. 

Is "I'm not comfortable with that" a common expression? Since Adam and Eve sinned, isn't life full of uncomfortable and trying times? Are we suppose to always be in a comfortable state? A great step of faith anytime, prayer can pull us through uncomfortable situations. Praying helps us rely on God and not ourselves. Our bodies were not designed to handle discomfort. So every hour, we need Thee.

But the LORD said unto Samuel,

Look not on his countenance,

or on the height of his stature;

because I have refused him:

for the LORD seeth not as man seeth;

for man looketh on the outward appearance,

but the LORD looketh on the heart.” 

1 Samuel 16:7

As we look to the Christmas season, remember the events of that special night in the light of the Bethlehem Star. Jesus, God’s Word made flesh and the mighty Ruler who establishes a bright kingdom that will last forever for those who put their trust in Him accomplishes because:

Neither is there salvation in any other:

for there is none other name under heaven

given among men, whereby we must be saved.

Acts 4:12

Therefore I will look unto the LORD; 

I will wait for the God of my salvation: 

my God will hear me.

Micah 7:7

And now, LORD, thou art God, and hast promised this goodness unto thy servant.

1 Chronicles 17:26

Jesus is the only One with the promise of eternal life and goodness.