ADVENT 4 (Star): Shining Like Stars

Today is Day 4 of our 25-day Christmas Advent-ure, as we focus on some of the symbolism that we see related to the earthly life and ministry of Jesus. We are working through some of the symbols of the Christmas story, and in Matthew 2, we read about the journey of the wise men:
1 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 have seen His star in the East and have come to worship Him."

The symbolism of the star can remind us of the guidance of God in our spiritual journeys and His hand in orchestrating events, that we see manifested through people, places, and things surrounding the birth of Christ. I also want to point to this Scripture passage:
14 Do all things without complaining and disputing,
15 that you may become blameless and harmless, children of God without fault in the midst of a crooked and perverse generation, among whom you shine as lights in the world...

Another translation uses the word, "stars," rather than "lights."

A Christian Post article contains some rather alarming information; stating:

In schools across Northern Ireland, students are finding it more challenging to reveal their Christian faith than their sexual orientation, according to testimony provided during an ongoing inquiry into Relationship and Sexuality Education (RSE) at Stormont.

David Smyth, a representative of the Evangelical Alliance Northern Ireland, told the Education Committee that some young people find it “much more difficult now to come out as an Evangelical Christian in school than it is to come out as LGBT,” according to the BBC.

Smyth's comments came as part of a discussion on the content and delivery of RSE in Northern Irish schools, Premier Christian News noted.

The Premier website quoted Smyth as saying: "This is not the experience of all Christian young people or trying to play them off against young LGBT people in terms of victimhood. Some Christian young people in some schools feel that is more difficult to come out as an evangelical Christian than as gay among their friends."

The Christian Post article went on to say that "Smyth referred to a report by Conservative MP Miriam Cates on RSE in England and Wales, citing examples of 'age-inappropriate material being taught in RSE on issues like sexual practices which may be dangerous or even illegal...'" The Christian Post also reported that Smyth "pointed out that some RSE materials also contained 'scientifically inaccurate content which confuses and conflates biological sex with gender identity.'” Smyth also said that, "there are some specific areas where the views of Evangelical Christians, and many Catholics and Muslims, are very distinctive, for example abortion.”  The article noted:

The teaching of access to abortion and prevention of early pregnancy is set to become compulsory for all post-primary schools in Northern Ireland, following regulations laid in Parliament by former Northern Ireland Secretary Chris Heaton-Harris in 2023.

Now, Smyth reportedly said that he is not trying to start a culture war and that there are areas of "common ground" regarding relationships. The Christian Post article referred to a BBC report that quoted Smyth as saying: "We're not looking to fight a culture war where children are the casualties..." I would submit that the culture war is here, there is a dramatic assault on truth rooted in the Scriptures, and that, while, finding areas of commonality with non-believers sounds admirable, we have to be careful not to compromise God's standards. 

And, apparently, Christian young people are indeed finding themselves as casualties, if they are being intimidated into silence. While cultural narratives, such as acceptance of the gay lifestyle, are dominant these days, we must recognize that, while being compassionate toward those who embrace the LGBT lifestyle, we have a distinctly different viewpoint about the sinfulness in which they are living.  So, we can pray for our young people to be bold and to be convinced in our hearts and minds about what the Word of God teaches regarding sinful behavior.  By living a distinctive life, demonstrating the love and truth of the Lord, all of us can shine - like stars, who provide hope and guidance to a lost and confused world.