December 4th

Perhaps the strangest hint of the coming Christmas is found in the Book of Numbers. There is a pagan seer (one who sees visions and gives instruction) named Balaam who was asked to help the king of Moab. The people of Moab were threatened by the people of Israel. The did not worship the God of Israel but they had sure heard about His power. So when Moses led the people out of slavery in Egypt and towards the land of the Moabites, the people of Moab were afraid. The king of the Moabites asked Balaam to put a curse on the Israelites.

However, God intervened. God instructed Balaam that he was not to curse Israel. He could not put a curse on those whom God had blessed. And in one of Balaam’s “blessings,” he said:

“I see him, but not now; I behold him, but not near. A star will come out of Jacob; a scepter will rise out of Israel. Numbers 24:17

Exactly what Balaam saw and what he understood it to mean we will never know. But years later, Jewish rabbis (teachers of Scripture) would view this rising star of Jacob to be the star that led the wise men and their gifts to Jesus.

It is a strange story. Balaam was led to an angel of the Lord by way of his talking donkey (see Numbers 22). Over a thousand years later, the wise men were led to Jesus by way of a star that Balaam saw in a vision. You can’t make this stuff up, people!

Stepping back from this strange, but true, story, let’s ask a more important question. Who has been my star? My talking donkey? Who was the one who pointed the way home for me?

The reason Christmas means more to me than trees, presents, and snow is because Christ is the King of my heart. The reason Christ is the King of my heart is because someone cared enough to point me to Jesus.

Take a moment now to thank God for that person in your life that pointed you to Jesus. It was truly the greatest gift you could have ever opened. That person was your star! And, if it has been a while since you have expressed your gratitude, consider taking a moment this Christmas to thank them for showing you the way.