by God used a pagan emblem at Christmas to bring pagans to Jesus after His birth. Over the centuries, poems, children’s stories and beautiful hymns have been written about this specific form of paganism. Today, this pagan emblem is in most manger scenes, and many churches hang it during Christmastime as they celebrate Christ’s birth. Does this mean we are involved in pagan worship if we celebrate Christmas? Only if God is considered a pagan for using what man has turned into paganism in His Christmas story.
This paganism was the worship of the stars, and the pagans were the wise men. They came to Jesus trusting their pagan emblem was leading them to the King of the Jews. However, after they met King Jesus, they were changed, went home a different way and left their pagan practice behind. Today, this star is a part of our Christmas story because God made it that way. However, I am hard pressed to find any Christian that is worshiping the Star of Bethlehem as a pagan and not the Babe in the manger as Almighty God.
What this paganism teaches us is that God will reach men right where they are to bring them to where they need to be in Him. The wise men had their heads in the stars, and God used a star to get their attention. In reality, God is the Creator of the stars, so they are not a pagan emblem even though they have been turned into such by pagans. Just like the Christmas tree, God created the trees not to be worshiped but to point the world to Him. Matter of fact, it is these supposed pagan emblems that will hold all men without excuse at His throne. As Paul said to the Romans in Romans 1:20-21, “For the invisible things of him from the creation of the world are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made, even his eternal power and Godhead; so that they are without excuse: Because that, when they knew God, they glorified him not as God, neither were thankful; but became vain in their imaginations, and their foolish heart was darkened.”
Enjoy your Christmas this year, in the Lord. In the process, avoid Christian conspiracies theorists who are out there for one purpose, trying to rob you of the joy of THE REASON FOR THE SEASON!
