I’ve always loved the passage in Job, where God is speaking to him saying, “Where were you when I laid the foundations of the earth?   Tell me, if you know so much. Who determined its dimensions  and stretched out the surveying line? What supports its foundations, and who laid its cornerstone as the morning stars sang together and all the angels shouted for joy?” (Job 38:4-7).

Jesus claimed he was the morning star in the final book of the Bible,  “I, Jesus, have sent my angel to give you this message for the churches. I am both the source of David and the heir to his throne. I am the bright morning star.” (Revelation 22:16)

He claimed both his earthly and divine nature in this final chapter of the Bible.

So many Christmas carols have been written over the ages. I have been carefully reading some of the lyrics of these songs this year. I like verse two of “O Little Town of Bethlehem” written in 1868 by a pastor who was inspired by his visit to Bethlehem.

 For Christ is born of Mary;
and, gathered all above,
while mortals sleep, the angels keep
their watch of wond’ring love.
O morning stars, together
proclaim the holy birth,
and praises sing to God the King,
and peace to men on earth.

I was fortunate to visit Bethlehem a few years ago and touched the spot where it is believed Jesus was born.

A winter sunrise

The morning star tells us a new day is coming. I have often yearned for the day to begin so I can get up after a sleepless night. Some of you who read this post are yearning for something bright and encouraging. Sometimes, it is relief from grief. Relief from pain. Relief from a difficult work situation or over-work.  Relief from poverty. Relief from something you’ve said or done and are sorry about it.

Look to the east. A new day is dawning. An old Japanese proverb says, We can never see the sunrise by looking west. Sometimes, the best thing we can do is the “next thing.”Perhaps it is just getting up and getting dressed. Facing the day. You are here on earth for a purpose. Ask God what that might be before you.  And “look east”.

“Lord, help me as I contemplate what the “next thing” might be in my life. Amen.”

On a final note, many of you are praying for Jim. He is slowly getting better but is not there yet. We wait for the pain to end and hope it will. We wait for the infection in his bones to be cured by the antibiotics he’s taking every day and we wait. We, too, are looking to the east. Thank you for your prayers. We treasure them!

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