Zenith

I can still remember the “Zenith Christmas” my family celebrated when I was just a small boy. That was the year my dad bought a Zenith brand color television set for my mom. I just knew we must be rich! It was many years later that I came to understand that “zenith” referred to the highest point in the sky reached by any celestial body; like a star or planet reaching its zenith.

The story of Jesus’ birth includes the amazing account of the wise men from the east that arrived asking, “Where is he who has been born king of the Jews? For we saw his star when it rose and have come to worship him” (Matthew 2:2).  Somehow, these magi recognized the rising of this star in the night sky as a sign of the arrival of the king of the Jews. While they were in Jerusalem, once again they saw the star rising to guide them to the king, “when they saw the star they rejoiced with exceedingly great joy.” Little did these wise men know the star had actually guided them to the star, the Bright and Morning Star.

As we celebrate Advent this season, may we, as those who by God’s grace have been made wise to salvation, also “rejoice with exceedingly great joy.” May we rejoice in the promise that the Bright and Morning Star, Jesus Christ, will soon rise to His zenith and bring to this dark world the dawning of the ever bright, never ending day of His glorious Kingdom!

Merry Christmas!