Heaven and Nature Sing

Scripture Readings: 

Matthew 2:1-2

Now after Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judea in the days of Herod the king, behold, wise men from the east came to Jerusalem, 2 saying, “Where is he who has been born king of the Jews? For we saw his star when it rose and have come to worship him.”

Psalm 19:1

The heavens declare the glory of God, 

and the sky above proclaims his handiwork. 

Commentary: 

Heaven and Nature Sing

A thousand years before the birth of Christ, David wrote a beautiful poem, also known as a psalm. This psalm starts with how we can see the work of God by looking towards heaven. I can imagine David sitting in a beautifully arrayed field one night tending his flock and looking at the sky. It was at this time that David was in awe of God’s creation. It was the splendor of God’s creation in the sky that guided David’s thoughts.

It was also the very skies crafted by God that led the magi of the second chapter of Matthew to Jesus. The magi, seeing a sign from the heavens, were led by God’s creation. They saw a sign in a star.

By God’s grace, this supernatural star led them straight to an infant Messiah. It’s possible that these magi would have been familiar with Balaam’s prophecy in Numbers 24:17 that “a star shall come out of Jacob, and a scepter shall rise out of Israel.” This was meant to point to a Deliverer of God’s people! The star was never meant to save; it was only meant to point to the One who could; which is what God intends by His creation!

One way God reveals Himself is through His creation. He meant to fully reveal Himself through the Messiah. This Jesus is ever before us. Are you looking to God’s creation and, even more, to His Word to point you to Jesus the Messiah this Christmas season?

This Christmas, reflect on Christ as you sing these words to a classic Christmas song:

Joy to the World, the Lord has come!

Let earth receive her King;

Let every heart prepare Him room,

And Heaven and nature sing,

And Heaven and nature sing,

And Heaven, and Heaven, and nature sing.

Prayer & Reflection: 

Remember the Messiah is here. He is waiting on you to call on Him. Many people will miss Him because they are looking in the wrong places. Many will miss Him because they do not see Him. Let this be the day that you prepare room for your King. The Light is before you and heaven is waiting to rejoice with you.