THE BRIGHT ST AR OF BET HLEHEM

F RIDAY, FIRST WEEK OF A DVENT Star Light, Star Bright We saw his star when it rose and have come to worship him. —Matthew 2:2

ethlehem at night is a beautiful sight. Looking out over the hills of B Bethlehem from the patio of the International Center, adjacent to Christmas Lutheran Church, one is swept away by the shiny and sparkling visibility of all the stars. Isn’t it amazing that the Lord used a star to lead the Wise Men to Jesus? Let me suggest that he continues to do this in our daily lives, both where you are and also in Bethlehem. He is doing this in Bethlehem today by providing opportunities for hundreds of children to attend school. Te Lord is providing parents and teachers to shine the light of Christ into the hearts and minds of college students in the new Lutheran College, right there in Bethlehem. He is bringing his Spirit into the lives of hundreds of older adults who play and pray and ponder anew what the Bright Star of Bethlehem can do. Tat star that led the Magi is certainly not the only star shining brightly in Bethlehem today. Tere are so many others by the names of Rami and Rana and Nuha and Naila and Najwa and on and on and on. Tese are the bright stars of Bethlehem who have been “lit up” by the light of Christ in order to shine out into the dark and dreary world.

PR AYER Jesus, Star of Creation, do not let your Light go out in our lives, nor in the lives of the people of Bethlehem. Amen. Rich Bimler