Once upon a time, there was a girl who saw stars in the sky and dreamed to touch them, one by one.  As she reached for the twinkling lights, clouds moved in, thick and dark.  She lost her footing and fell from the sky.  Awakening from the tumble, she found herself in a forest, dense and tall.  She looked at the scenery that surrounded her.  Nothing was as it had been before.

The journey back home was first and foremost.  How long would it take?  Which way should she go? The question of how to return filled her mind, like fog rolling over the mountains, mysterious and silent.

Everyday she tried somehow to go back to being that girl with an open heart and hope on her heels.  Round and round it seemed she’d go.  Until one night, she hit rock bottom.  Energy spent from wandering, she collapsed on a rock.

There, in the dark, God pointed her to the sky once more.  There was one Star that shined brighter than the rest. She was so tired and weary, she could hardly see.

God assured her the Star was there.  He put it there to guide her, one step at a time.  The Star moved at the pace of her hesitant steps — no faster and no slower.  Never leaving, always beckoning. Ahead.

“After [the wise men] heard the king, they went on their way, and the star they had seen in the east went ahead of them until it stopped over the place where the child was. When they saw the star, they were overjoyed.”Matthew 2:9-10

I don’t know why the Christmas star I see is often motionless, hanging over the scene of a manger.  The star of Christmas moved.

The Star Moves

Sometimes I see Jesus that way — motionless at Christmas, as a swaddled baby or placed way up high in the heavens, waiting for my worship and birthday wishes.  Then, I think back to one Christmas Eve, long ago.  I’m reminded, all this is not true.

I was once a broken melody, borrowing strength and story from yesteryears.  I needed to be made anew.

I was lonely, afraid to hope, fearful to try.  In that darkness, I learned that God’s Light was stronger and brighter than my faulty memories and disappointed dreams.

Hope Again

Eventually, He led me to where I am today:  overjoyed.

This Christmas, I look back at my journey and I am so blessed.  I see the star of His guidance and I realize He has restored me.

Because God moves in me, I am learning to hope again.

He only asks that I move as far as I can see.  His sovereignty, wisdom and plan carries me the rest of the way.    I can rely on guidance and grace to mark my path, day by day.

Jesus has led me back to that girl with stars in her eyes.  That girl is me — older and still — with wonder and excitement this Christmas.

“How will this be?” Mary asked…

The angel answered, “…For nothing is impossible with God.”

“I am the Lord’s servant,” Mary answered. “May it be to me as you have said.”

Luke 1:34-38.

Are you also moving with the Star, traveling by day and sometimes by night?  I am happy to find you on this journey together.  Merry Christmas, faith friend.  May we see Jesus and gather our hearts to hope again.