Star of Wonder

Hi Mom,

Well the miracles continue to happen in our lives. Brien's car is not a loss and is fixable and we can do it with the resources we have available to us. My gratitude for the Lord and his blessings is beyond my ability to express in words.

Last night I was sitting on the couch for a few minutes. Dane was somewhere else in the house and so I had a few minutes of solitude to ponder the happenings of the day. I was just looking at the tree and the lights. The decoration that caught my eye was the star at the top of our tree.

The star reminded me of the promise from the Savior, "As long as I am in the world, I am the light of the world." (John 9:5)

What an amazing promise. We know that the light of Christ will never be extinguished. Just like the Christmas star that lead the wise men to Christ, the light of Christ will lead us home to the Father. Even though the ravages of evil surround us on all sides and it seems as though satan is winning the battle, Christ will win the war.

The star is a symbol of heavenly promises fulfilled and a reminder to look to Heavenly Father for guidance and understanding.

A child was born in Bethlehem
many years ago.
In a small and humble stable,
(there was no place else to go).

Above the little manger shown
the Star of Bethlehem.
Sparkling like a diamond rare,
a bright and shining gem.

It kept a lonely vigil there
in the midnight sky.
Like a beacon to the world
and every passer-by.

From Heaven's stately mansions came
Angels singing praise.
Announcing His arrival
as on Him they did gaze.

Heavenly Father is not interested in playing hid-and-seek. He wants us to find Him. And He will make Himself obvious if we are looking for Him.

The star is a symbol that should promote action. Christ said that we are to be the "light of the world." Our Savior gave Himself in unselfish service. He taught that each of us should follow Him by denying ourselves of selfish interests in order to serve others. 

Mom, have you ever read "Mere Christianity," by C.S. Lewis? It's a wonderful book filled with simple, basic truths about the gospel. C.S. Lewis talked a lot about overcoming man's natural desires to promote self first. He said, "“The moment you have a self at all, there is a possibility of putting yourself first—wanting to be the center—wanting to be God, in fact. That was the sin of Satan: and that was the sin he taught the human race. Some people think the fall of man had something to do with sex, but that is a mistake. … What Satan put into the heads of our remote ancestors was the idea that they could ‘be like gods’—could set up on their own as if they had created themselves—be their own masters—invent some sort of happiness for themselves outside God, apart from God. And out of that hopeless attempt has come … the long terrible story of man trying to find something other than God which will make him happy.”

"Man are that they might have joy." Heavenly Father wants us to find happiness and joy in this life. The Christmas star is a reminder that if we will just study, pray, ponder and seek; we will be lead to a place of infinite and eternal happiness.

One of my favorite broadway songs is "The Impossible Dream," from, "Man of La Mancha."

To dream ... the impossible dream ...
To fight ... the unbeatable foe ...
To bear ... with unbearable sorrow ...
To run ... where the brave dare not go ...
To right ... the unrightable wrong ...
To love ... pure and chaste from afar ...
To try ... when your arms are too weary ...
To reach ... the unreachable star ...

This is my quest, to follow that star ...
No matter how hopeless, no matter how far ...
To fight for the right, without question or pause ...
To be willing to march into Hell, for a Heavenly cause ...

And I know if I'll only be true, to this glorious quest,
That my heart will lie peaceful and calm,
when I'm laid to my rest ...
And the world will be better for this:
That one man, scorned and covered with scars,
Still strove, with his last ounce of courage,
To reach ... the unreachable star ...
 

My prayer today is that we will remember the Christmas star all year long and have the courage to follow it to the Savior, and live our lives in such a way that we may be blessed to point the way for others to find Jesus Christ. Merry Christmas! I love you!

Till Tomorrow,

Holley