Yesterday, December 21, was the winter solstice. Last night was the longest night of the year in the northern hemisphere—the longest night of a dark, dark year. But through the darkest of nights shone a brilliant light. Many are calling it the “Christmas Star of 2020”. It was not actually a star, but rather the pairing of Saturn and Jupiter. These two planets aligned in such a way as to appear as one bright light in the sky. This was the first time since the year 1226 that Saturn and Jupiter were paired so closely that they could be observed by the naked eye. The sight could be seen from any position on Earth, if the skies were clear and there was nothing blocking your view.

This event reminded many of the star that guided the wise men to Jesus in Matthew 2.

Of course, we Christians realize that the most important light associated with Christmas is Jesus himself. He came to a dark, dark world and shone so brightly that he showed us the way to God. In fact, he himself is the way to God!

So no matter how dark the world around you may seem, understand that Jesus has the power to overcome that darkness!

“In him was life, and that life was the light of all mankind. The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it.”—John 1:4-5.