Now that Christmas has arrived, I hope to show you something from the word of God that can help you enjoy the Lord more, worship Him more, and make mention of him to others.

At this time of the year there are a number of imitations of the true:
1. Santa is an imitation of Jesus, with his list being an imitation of the Lamb's book of life
2. Christmas gifts are an imitation of the gift of God, eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord
3. The yule log and Christmas tree are an imitation of the resurrection of the Lord Jesus Christ
4. The mistletoe is a cheap imitation for the love of God and true Christian love
Finally, and this is the one I want to use tonight for our thoughts from our text of scripture:
5. The Christmas tree is an imitation of the crucifixion tree, the cross upon which Jesus died. In the past everyone put a star on the top of the Christmas tree.

If God were to have a Christmas tree, then JESUS would be the STAR on the crucifixion tree!

Christmas is today, Sunday. !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! So today, let's look at the star of Christmas.

I. JESUS IS THE SHINING STAR (Revelation 22:16) I Jesus have sent mine angel to testify unto you these things in the churches. I am the root and the offspring of David, and the bright and morning star.

1. He is the light of heaven

    1. Heaven is Heaven because Jesus is there.

        A. In heaven there will be no need of the “sun”, because Jesus the “Son” is

             the light of heaven (Rev.21:23) And the city had no need of the sun,

             neither of the moon, to shine in it: for the glory of God did lighten it, and

            the Lamb is the light thereof.

           1. Jesus claims to be and is identified as the Light (John 1:9; 8:12).

           2. As the dawn of the coming day will herald judgment to the proud and

              wicked, it will herald healing for those who fear the Lord.

    2. He is the light of the heathen (Jh. 8:12)

        A. It is Jesus who is the guiding light to salvation.

            1. If it were not for Jesus there would be now salvation for anyone.

        B. He is the bright future of every nation (Prov. 14:34) Righteousness

            exalteth a nation: but sin is a reproach to any people.

    3. He is the light of the heart (2 Cor. 4:6) For God, who commanded the light to shine out of darkness, hath shined in our hearts, to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ.

    II. JESUS IS THE SIN-BEARING STAR (1 Peter 2:24) Who his own self “bare” our sins in his own body on the tree, that we, being dead to sins, should live unto righteousness: by whose stripes ye were healed.

Some stars seem to twinkle and show more than one color. This Star, JESUS, went from white to red on Calvary, as He bore our sins and took their stain upon Himself.

    1. Jesus was and is sinless (IICort. 5:21) For he hath made him to be sin for

       us, who knew no sin; that we might be made the righteousness of God in

       him.

    2. Jesus was our sacrifice for sin

    3. Jesus was our substitute for the wages of sin (Rom.3:23)
       

        A. He took our place

        B. He took our penalty

       C. Even as the ram took Isaac's place on the mount (Gen. 22:1-18)

III. JESUS IS THE SAVING STAR (Galatians 3:13) Christ hath redeemed us from the curse of the law, being made a curse for us: for it is written, Cursed is every one that hangeth on a tree:

Through the ages, men who have lost their way in traveling have been saved by their attention to the stars of heaven. God has provided HIS Star upon His tree, the cross, to guide men out of the wilderness of sin and on the road to heaven!

    1. Jesus is the star of redemption

        A. It is the blood of Jesus that rasom's us out of Satan's slave marget.

    2. Jesus is the star of regeneration

        A. It is the blood of Jesus that washes white as snow.

       B. It is the blood of Jesus that changes people from the inside out.

    3. Jesus is the star of redirection

       A. Jesus shined on Saul on the road of iniquity and took him from the

           Damascus Road to Straight Street (Acts 9:11)

      B. Jesus can and will redirect the direction of your life if you will but except

          Him and His sacrifice for your sins. If you will surrender your life to Him. If

          you will just ask him into your heart to save your soul.

IV. JESUS IS THE SUPREME STAR (1 Corinthians 15:41) There is one glory of the sun, and another glory of the moon, and another glory of the stars: for one star differeth from another star in glory.

Angels are called stars in the Bible, popular actors are called stars, and top athletes are called stars, but some day all of them will bow the knee and confess that JESUS CHRIST IS LORD! (Phlip. 2;9-11)- even as Joseph dreamed that his brethren, as stars, would bow down before him (Joseph typifies our Lord in many instances in his life).

     1. Jesus is supreme in His identification
      

         A. He is THE bright and morning star

    2. Jesus is supreme in His illumination

        A. Joseph Smith, founder of the Mormons, said an angel named Moroni

            appeared  to him.

       B. Mr. Russell of the Jehovah False Witnesses said he got a special

           revelation from God.

        C. Muhammad of the Muslims said he got a special revelation from God

            1. I think we need to remember (II Cort. 11:14-15) And no marvel; for

               Satan himself is transformed into an angel of light. Therefore it is no

                great thing if his ministers also be transformed as the ministers of

               righteousness; whose end shall be according to their works.

          B. Jesus exceeds all others in brightness

          C. Jesus brings light to the darkest soul

          D. Jesus brings light to the darkest community

During the Civil War in the United States, a farmer named Blake was drafted as a soldier. He was deeply concerned about leaving his family, because his wife had died and there would be no one to support and take care of his children in his absence. The day before he was to leave for the army, his neighbor Charlie Durham came to visit him. "Blake," he said, "I've been thinking. You're needed here at home, so I've decided to go in your place." The farmer was so overwhelmed that a few moments he was speechless. The offer seemed too good to be true. He grasped the hand of the young man and praised God for this one who was willing to go as his substitute. Charlie went to the front-lines and performed his duties nobly. But sad to say, he was shot and killed in the first battle. When the farmer heard the news, he immediately saddled his horse and rode out to the battlefield. After searching for some time, he found the body of his friend. He arranged to have it buried in the churchyard near the spot where they had often stopped to talk after the services. On a piece of marble he carved an inscription with his own hands. It was roughly done, but with every blow of the hammer on the chisel tears fell from his eyes. He placed the marker on the grave of his devoted substitute. Many villagers wept as they read the brief but touching inscription: HE DIED FOR ME.