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Sometimes that revelation is accompanied by some celestial event like a bright star. Writers in the Bible tell us of many constellations. Individual stars are mentioned. In the Book of Job there is a beautiful conversation between God and Job (in chapter 38) where God asks Job where he was when the Lord laid the foundations of the earth. The writer shows the depth of ancient knowledge when he asks whether Job can bind the chains of Pleiades or loose the cords of Orion. The star of Bethlehem referred to in Matthew's Gospel as the one leading the Magi to the Christ child has also led many scientists into the realms of speculation. As far as the Bible is concerned this is the star which heralds Christ's birth and some equate it with the pillar of fire which revealed God's presence amongst the Israelites as they journeyed from Egypt to the Promised Land.
The them of light which is signified by these stars is a central Advent theme because it speaks to us of the expectation of God coming to light up the world with his new presence in Jesus Christ. This is the Light of God beginning the process of transforming the world with light. Not surprisingly, when the Church leaders chose December 25th for our celebration of Christmas it was the time in the West at least, the world is at its darkest. It was also the time of the pagan Winter festival and early Christians preferred to overlay pagan religion with new Christian meaning. Sweeping pagan practices away would merely drive them underground. Changing their meaning and adding new depth made for a more permanent and ready acceptance of the, then, new faith. Good missioners always start where people are before leading them into new understanding.
It may well be that the pagan solstice was subjected to a pincer movement because on December 13th we keep the feast of St Lucy whose very name means Light (and from which we get the word lucid - to make clear) Lucy herself was a 4th century Christian who fell foul of an attempt by the Roman Emperor to re-establish worship of the old gods. Lucy was betrothed to a man who expected a decent dowry. Instead of which she gave her possessions to the poor. The angry suitor denounced her to the authorities and she was put to death for her faith in 304AD. Because her martyrdom was in December her festival quickly became associated with Christmas. The light of her faith pointed believers to Jesus, the one true light who was coming into a darkened world with hope and new life. Christ Jesus, who in the final book of the Bible is called the Bright Morning Star fills all our lives with light. We are the real Christingle, embracing the world with the light of God's love.
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