ChristStory Christmas Symbols

STARS

That Which Shines In the Darkness

Before entering the Promised Land, Moses warned the Israelites to, "take heed, lest you lift your eyes to heaven, and when you see the sun, the moon, and the stars, all the host of heaven, you feel driven to worship them and serve them, which the LORD your God has given to all the peoples under the whole heaven as a heritage" (Deu 4:19).

Islamic tradition claims that when Abraham was born, he was hidden in a cave because Nimrod sought to slay the newborn patriarch, just as Herod sought to kill the infant king, Jesus. After fifteen years, Abraham emerged from his cave and, seeing the evening star, believed it was God. He almost worshiped it, but the star's light grew faint and disappeared from sight. He realized his error and declared he would not worship any transient god. When the moon, and then the sun arose, Abraham mistook them for God and very nearly worshiped these bodies. However, they also faded and fell. Finally, he realized that his LORD was the invisible and never-changing God who had created the heavenly lights. Later, God swore to Abraham, "I will multiply your descendants as the stars of the heaven..." (Gen 22:17; 15:5; Exo 32:13; Heb 11:12; Deu 1:10; 10:22; 28:62; Neh 9:23). Abraham's belief in this promise was credited to him as righteousness (Gen 15:6). This same promise was passed down to his son, Isaac (Gen 26:4).

Twelve stars are used to represent the twelve tribes of Israel. Before his brothers sold him into slavery, Joseph related a dream to them in which "the sun, the moon, and the eleven stars bowed down to" him (Gen 37:9). Twelve stars are also used to symbolize the twelve apostles. Many "queens of heaven," including the Virgin Mary are crowned with stars. Mary wears "a garland of twelve stars" (Rev 12:1). A lone star represents Mary in her role of "Stella Maris," or "Star of the Sea." Under this title, Mary with her son, Jesus, shine, giving hope to those lost under the Law, just as the stars give hope to lost mariners, adrift on the seas.

In many cultures, stars are believed to be the souls of the dead. In the book of Daniel, the prophet writes, "Those who are wise shall shine like the brightness of the firmament, and those who turn many to righteousness like the stars forever and ever" (Dan 12:3). In Christian writings, stars are personified and identified with the angels (Rev 12:4). God is believed to count the stars and call each star by name (Psa 147:4). In the beginning, "the morning stars sang together" (Job 38:7). Bildad implies that the stars are capable of sin and impurity in the eyes of God (Job 25:4-5). In Revelations, the seven stars in Jesus's right hand are the "angels of the seven churches" (Rev 1:20; 1:16; 2:1; 3:1). In other areas of the world, stars are thought to be the eyes or windows of heavenly beings. They are called upon to be witnesses to deeds done in the night, and shamans try to catch the windows open in order to enter or grasp things from other worlds.

The North or Pole Star is considered the navel of the universe and the gate of heaven. It is the pivot point or king of all the other stars which revolve around it, displaying the orderliness of the universe. Some believe it to be the very throne of God offering hope and direction to those lost in the darkness of this world.

The Morning Star, which is actually the planet Venus, is even more to be considered the light of Christ which shines in the darkness. It is the symbol of spiritual warfare or the battle between good and evil, ignorance and enlightenment. When Balaam was hired by Balak to curse Israel as she wandered in the wilderness, he prophesied of Christ, "I see Him, but not now; I behold Him, but not near; A Star shall come out of Jacob; A Scepter shall rise out of Israel" (Num 24:17). Jesus called Himself "the Bright and Morning Star" (Rev 22:16). He promises to give the morning star to those who overcome (Rev 2:26-28). Some commentators interpret this verse to mean Jesus will give Himself to the overcomer. Others, rather oddly, believe this verse refers to the promise of the Rapture, reasoning that the morning star appears before the rising sun.

Wisemen followed the mysterious Star of the East to worship the newborn King of the Jews (Mat 2:1-10). Astronomers have as yet agreed upon no explanation for the appearance of this star. Although the star of Bethlehem is sometimes portrayed as a comet, falling stars are usually considered ill omens. At the end of the world "the stars will fall from heaven, and the powers of the heavens will be shaken" (Mat 24:29; Mk 13:25; Luke 21:25). As a general rule, stars were believed to mark the births and deaths of important persons, including kings. St. Dominic is shown with a star on his forehead or halo because one was said to have appeared there at his baptism.

Stars symbolize great multitudes, heavenly favor, wisdom, guides, watchers, and aspirations. Twenty-five percent of the world's flags have stars on them.

Unless otherwise indicated all scripture quotes are from the NKJV Bible.