While we are on the road, the kids have the chance to grab a DVD or two to watch. Being the driver, I only get to listen. (It’s important to keep two eyes on the road at all times!) Being the Christmas season, holiday movies were being featured at the Redbox and the kids naturally gravitated to “Santa Buddies,” the continuation of the “Buddies” movies which feature talking dogs as the main characters.
The problem to solve in this episode? The Spirit of Christmas, in the form of and icicle, was melting away. No, it wasn’t because of global warming or climate change, however it is referred to these days. It was because people all over the world had forgotten the true meaning of Christmas, which, from what I could gather from my mobile eavesdropping on the movie, was watching Christmas tree lightings and singing Christmas carols. Now, while this favorite time of the year has traditionally been kicked off in our household with the decorating of the tree accompanied by Nat King Cole’s version of the “Christmas Song,” it would appear that “Santa Buddies” has the trimmings mixed up with what Christmas is really about.
The Star of Bethlehem
This brings us to a presentation that we had the opportunity to hear last Wednesday. Richard Hammar talked, from his extensive knowledge of astronomy, about what he felt the Star of Bethlehem, the star that led the Wise Men to the child Jesus, really was. As he dismissed several theories, he made mention of what one scientist at the NASA Jet Propulsion Center said. He said that he felt the Star of Bethlehem was a comet, because that would have been the most impressive astronomical event that could have been observed. Now this was said even though a comet would not have fit any of the evidence that the biblical record presents.
OK, you’re wondering, “What does the Star of Bethlehem” have to do with “Santa Buddies.” Give me a minute to explain. I can make the Star of Bethlehem to be whatever I want it to be if I don’t accept the reality of the historical birth of the Christ Child. I can confuse Christmas traditions for the reason for the season if I reduce the Christmas story to just another fable or fairy tale. What it all amounts to is a lot of heat without light. It may warm our spirits through December 25th, but it leaves us with Christmas hangover and little else when the bills come due in January.
Hammar concluded that a miracle occurred to lead the Wise Men to Jesus. He stated that the glory of God was what formed the star that shone on the stable the first Christmas morning and what eventually guided the Magi to the place where they found the one who would be the Savior of all humankind. And while not all who lived at that time could see the light, those that sought the Messiah, the shepherds and later the Wise Men could. I believe this still holds true today.
So as we complete our shopping and scurry to put together the “Perfect Christmas,” lets take some time to look to the reality that made this season special. Let’s turn again the the truth that God came near, that His light shone in the darkness and illuminated the way to restore our relationship with Him.
Merry Christmas and Happy New Year from our family to yours!
