Only One Star Speaks

12/19/23 – 12/25/23

Shining Still

By Michael Youssef, Ph D.  12/24/23

“Heaven and earth will pass away, but my words will never pass away,” Christ tells us in Matthew 24:35. With these words, we have the assurance that every promise He has given us in His Word will come to pass. Just as He came for the first time at Christmas, He will come again. And now, as we live between these two comings of our Savior, we are called to be faithful to Him—even as the world sinks deeper into rebellion, sin, and darkness. We are to shine in the world until the Morning Star rises.

Believers are in Christ, united with Him. Therefore, if He is the light of the world, so are we—for we are one with Him (see Matthew 5:14-16; John 8:12). By the power of the Holy Spirit, the influence of Christ is felt in the world through us, His faithful witnesses. We, as the church, are the light for the nations as we carry Christ in our hearts (see Isaiah 42:6; Ephesians 3:17, 5:8; Hebrews 3:6).

The call to be on mission for Christ is not an isolated calling to a select few. It is the calling of every Christian. Not all of us are called to cross cultures or country borders, but everyone is called to cross the street and build relationships with our non-believing neighbors.

How might God be guiding you to be a light in the world this Christmas season, drawing the lost to the Truth of His Son? It is through you that He desires to reach the world—your neighbors, coworkers, and non-believing family members. There is no plan B. God doesn’t need one, for He has promised us: “Christ in you, the hope of glory” (Colossians 1:27).

Christ is returning soon, and when He does, He will give the morning star to His faithful ones (see Revelation 2:28). There is a reward coming for your faithful service to Him. For when Christ promises to give the “morning star” to the faithful, He is promising to give us Himself. He will make us like Him, and we shall be with Him—sharing in His royal dominion over the remade cosmos. With this hope in our hearts, may we unite together as the church to beckon all to come and receive comfort and joy this Christmas season.

Prayer: Lord, thank You for giving me Your Holy Spirit to guide me to live according to Your will. Help me to be a light in my community this Christmas to share the hope of a life spent with You, the Morning Star. I pray in the name of Jesus. Amen.

“Those who are wise will shine like the brightness of the heavens, and those who lead many to righteousness, like the stars for ever and ever” (Daniel 12:3).