One of the benefits of dark evenings is that the night skies become more visible. Taking the opportunity on a clear night to step away from the street lights, and with a break in the clouds, the most dazzling array of twinkling lights in the black sky appear.

This is no mere “twinkle twinkle little star” but a vast array of constellations and planets laid out before our very eyes.

Hidden behind the clouds ...

Each night, often unnoticed, hidden behind clouds they are there. By day their light has been diminished in our eyes due to the overwhelming brilliance of the sun. Appearing static, they are actually following their course across the heavens above us. 

People in ancient times probably looked upon the same night sky as us. We use the names given to the constellations by the Ancient Greeks. With no artificial light to dim their view, how often they must have starred up at the sky, creating stories and myths.

Named after Greek goddesses

The constellations were given names and stories created which depicting heroes and gods and goddesses of Greek mythology who through mighty deeds were cast into sky. These gods and goddesses has no concern for mortals and were often a reflection of human beings rather than being separate from them.

Constellations are used for navigation purposes. Ursa Minor, or the Little Bear contains the North Star. This bright star hovers right over the North Pole so knowing where north is enables mariners to plot a course without a compass. 

The ones I was most familiar with growing up was The Plough. Of course I now know The Plough or Big Dipper is part of the constellation known as the Great Bear. (Although the plough shape looked more to me like a saucepan with a long handle.) Orion I could generally find. The belt of 3 stars easy to find however the creak in my neck usually diverted my attempts from trying to find the bow in his arm.

Stargazers' discoveries

Stargazers have also discovered, with the aid of powerful telescopes and satellites traversing the Milky Way, images and even audio recordings of stars beyond our comprehension. 

Hyper giant stars eclipsing the size of our sun such as Sirius, Betelguese (Pronounced Beetlejuice), and the largest of them all Canis  Majoris. The mind boggles at the immense vastness of space. Not to mention the viable planet on which we live, coined The Blue Marble.

No doubt we are not the first generation to gaze up at this sky and wonder. 

In the Bible we read, “When I consider your heavens, the work of your hands, the moon and the stars which you have put in place…what is mankind that you are mindful of them, human beings that you care for them?” - Psalm 8 v3 and 4. 

For millennium

The stars that have held their path and kept their constellation for millennium, the planets which spin and orbit around our sun cannot, surely, be held in place without Someone to keep them there. The Bible said it before me. Isaiah 40v 26 reads “Lift up your eyes and look to the heavens: who created all these? He who brings out the starry host one by one and calls each of them by name. Because of His great power and mighty strength not one of them is missing.” 

Perhaps it’s time to look up from our feet and gaze upon the stars. 

We might then acquire a different perspective. We might notice the world around us, not as the object of our worship but as a creation that points to its Creator. Worshipping the stars was forbidden in the Bible yet the Israelite people were often influenced by the pagan nations around them and consulted the stars. In doing so they replaced the worship of God with the worship of the created world. Today, the reading of horoscopes and the study of astrology are similar. It looks to the created and not the Creator. But isn't the Creator, God, only worthy of worship!

Let yourself wonder … 

Sometimes I do wonder in amazement at the universe, the world, and our place in it. 

As we approach Christmas and the coming of the Christ child we might ask ourselves: How can it be that the God who made the universe would humble Himself to come into it?

And even more to take on our human form as a helpless baby?  

Each Christmas we remember and celebrate how Jesus, Son of God left the heavenly realm to enter into our world.  God who cast stars into space would come and take on human form on the very earth He made. He came to an exact location, born of a virgin. Angels told shepherds the good news and let’s not forget He used a star to guide the Wise Men from the East. 

As you look up at the stars, take time to wonder. 

I came across an illuminating video on Youtube here which you may find helpful as you consider this - Louie Giglio on the Star Maker. Also, here is a link to the worship song “Indescribable” written by Chris Tomlin.