What Was the Star of Bethlehem?
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Salt and Light
Bible Verse & Affirmation for November
by Rev Dinah Pemberton
Rays of One Light: Weekly Commentaries on the Bible and The Bhagavad Gita
What Was the Star of Bethlehem?
Truth is one and eternal. Realize oneness with it in your deathless Self, within.
The following commentary is based on the teachings of Paramhansa Yogananda.
Divine vision is the opposite of worldly sight. Divine vision sees God’s presence behind all outward appearances. Worldly sight sees appearances, merely, coating even the blazing wisdom of a saint. A master, to the worldly man, is a human being with, perhaps, a slightly better attitude than the norm. The Scriptures therefore strive to demonstrate how the divine consciousness, when openly active among men in the lives of great masters, must never be viewed as an expression of ordinary human consciousness. To seek the presence of Divinity behind the life of a great master is to prepare oneself to recognize that same Divinity also in lower manifestations until at last one beholds God everywhere.
Thus it was that Paramhansa Yogananda, on observing his new disciple Swami Kriyananda struggling with the contrast between the guru’s human appearance and his inner, divine reality, looked at him deeply one day and said, “If you only knew my consciousness!”
The story of the birth of Jesus Christ contains an account in the Gospel of St. Matthew, Chapter 2, of the star of Bethlehem. The wise men who sought Jesus in his manger said,
“We have seen his star in the east.”…And, lo, the star, which they saw in the east, went before them, till it came and stood over where the young child was.
This account was important, for it showed all mankind that Jesus was a divine incarnation, and no ordinary man – that he brought divine consciousness to earth,even though he would play a human role among human beings, and that others, too, by “receiving him” in their inner hearts, would acquire power, as the Bible puts it, to “become the sons of God.”
The Scriptures enjoin us to meditate on the lives of great souls, that we may discover our own latent spiritual greatness. As the Bhagavad Gita puts it in the fourth Chapter:
Who knows the truth touching my births on earth
And my divine work, when he quits the flesh
Puts on its load no more, falls no more down
To earthly birth: to Me he comes, dear Prince!
Thus, through holy Scripture, God has spoken to mankind.
Whispers From Eternity
13. Prayer at Eventide
The day is done. Refreshed and sanctified with the sunshine of the day I pass through the portals of evening, dimly adorned with faint stars, to enter into the temple of silence and worship Thee. I worship Thy Spirit of approaching calmness. What prayers can I offer? For I have no words to offer Thee. I shall light a little fire of devotion on the altar of my soul. Will that light suffice to bring Thee into my dark temple — my dimly lighted temple, dark with my ignorance? Come! I crave, I yearn for Thee!
Paramhansa Yogananda
Inspiration from The Rays of One Light
“We have seen his star in the east.”…And, lo, the star, which they saw in the east, went before them, till it came and stood over where the young child was”.
St. Matthew, Chapter 2:9
We will take these sacred words into our meditation together for deep reflection and contemplation. But firstly, we will listen to some beautiful music by Swami Kriyananda, “Vieni presto, Gesu”.
Vieni presto, Gesu
Listen to Vieni presto, Gesu
Reflect, Meditate and Listen to Instrumental Music
Reflect
Meditate
Refection & Inspiration from The Rays of the One Light
Peace Sangha
Today, I was inspired by the biblical verse by St. Matthew, Chapter 2, “We have seen his star in the east.”… And, lo, the star, which they saw in the east, went before them, till it came and stood over where the young child was.
The question that came to me from the verse to reflect on was, “When we are faced with darkness or uncertainty, do we, like the wise men, seek out the star, searching for that divine light to guide us forward?”
The image of the celestial star brings to mind a lighthouse on a sandy shore, guiding ships to safety with its beacon of light throughout the night. Illuminating the path for those seeking truth and light in a world often shadowed by uncertainty. It reminds us that even in our darkest moments, there is a light.
In a similar way, the divine child shines as a source of hope and direction when life feels uncertain or overwhelming. Turning our hearts towards the divine light reflects our longing for comfort, hope, and meaning during uncertain times. Just as the three wise men followed the guiding star, we also seek a higher presence when we face darkness.
The divine child also symbolises purity, innocence, new beginnings, and the promise that light will follow darkness. By fixing our gaze towards this sacred source, the sacred candle of light, we open ourselves to the mystery of faith, just like the three wise men who teach us to be open to divine signs in our lives. Their journey was not just a physical journey but a spiritual one, encouraging us to seek deeper meaning and connection beyond the ego, flesh and the material world.
By trusting and finding courage in the journey of the unknown, we are guided by a light more greater than ourselves. We discover that searching for the divine child is not simply about finding answers, but about anchoring ourselves in a presence of light far greater than our fears, a presence that can bring us to a place of natural peace and calmness.
Prayer for the Mystery of the Faith of Light
Divine Mother,
Just as the three wise men followed the star to find your Divine Child, I please ask you to guide my footsteps through the darkness of life. Illuminate my path with your divine light, that I may never lose my way.
Divine Spirit of Light, shine brightly in my life. Lead me away from darkness and confusion, and grant me the peace that comes from following your path.
Help me embrace change with faith and courage, and to trust in your promises, knowing your loving presence is always by my side.
May your light fill my heart with hope, peace, and joy, leading me closer to you each and every day.
Aum Peace Amen