A super-bright, mesmerizing light reflected upon the pond, the one that lays at the edge of the woods, just to the left of the front porch.
What caused the bright light? Why was the light so blinding? What was the source behind the light?
Of course—-The LORD God Almighty!
What caused my sudden interest was the fact that I wore my sunglasses, and still the twinkling, starlike image seemed to penetrate through my glasses, straight into my eyes.  It was like looking at the sun but not looking directly AT the sun for the brightness.

A Star.
A Super-Bright Star.
A Compelling Light.
A Mesmerizing Light.
A light so bright that it outshines all other lights.

Christmas is mere weeks away, & though we may or may not wish to be reminded due to the stress that oftentimes accompanies the holiday, the calendar marches toward the day when much of the world will celebrate the birth of Jesus.
Maybe that’s why the bright star-like reflection of the sun on the pond caught my eye—Not because of the purchasing of gifts, but because of the bringing of gifts when the wise men from the east came to find the Christ-child.  Much of the world celebrates this special day on January 6th.
Old Testament prophecy prepared the men, helped them know, and the star shining ever bright over Nazareth pointed the way. 
But do not believe me; believe the Word of God.

“Now after Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judea in the days of Herod the king, magi from the east arrived in Jerusalem, saying,
“Where is He who has been born King of the Jews?  For we saw His star in the east and have come to worship him.”

(Matthew 2: 1-3)

Ponder the details of that time.
See the star shining.
See the child.
See Jesus.
See the Messiah.
See the Redeemer.
See the Savior.
See the Son of God, as He took on human flesh and willingly came down from heaven to dwell on earth with us.

The King with a capital “K” was born and now the Magi seek Him.   Think also of king (lowercase “k”) Herod who felt threatened, so much that he desired to kill all male children so he could destroy this one “who has been born King of the Jews.”
Herod feared an overthrow, so he sent the wise men (astronomers—the star-seekers of the day) to seek the child, & Herod sent them on a mission to “find” the child so he could “too may come and worship Him” (Matthew 2: 8).

Yet, Herod was not seeking the truth to know & bow & worship. Herod wished to kill the Child.
Almighty God revealed the Child to the wise men through His miraculous star.

“After hearing the king, they went their way; and the star, which they had seen in the east, went on before them until it came and stood over the place where the Child was.
When they saw the star, they rejoiced exceedingly with great joy.
After coming into the house they saw the Child with Mary His mother; and they fell to the ground and worshipped Him.
Then, opening their treasures, they presented to Him gifts of gold, frankincense, and myrrh.”

(Matthew 2: 9-11)

Then the wise men went home a new way because of the warning they received from a dream.

God did that.
God sent His Son.
God chose Jesus’ mother Mary.
God set His bright star in the sky.
God led the wise men to find the Child.
God placed the knowledge into their hearts so these wise men would know the truth about the Child.
God gave the men a dream.
God protected the Child from harm so His will could be done on earth.
God placed rejoicing their hearts at the sight of the star that led the men to the Child.
God places this same joy within our hearts when we see the Messiah, the One sent by God.

GOD DID ALL THAT!!!

King David knew the truth of this joy.

God’s Mercy & Grace takes the punishment we deserve for our sins & gives us blessings we do not deserve. 

May we dwell within God presence forever as His goodness & His lovingkindness follow us all the days of our lives.

May we Believe It & Receive it today.
May we find ourselves amazed and upon our knees as we worship our Savior on this day.