When I think of the Middle Ages, I think of knights, chivalry, and ladies in waiting—not two planets aligning so that they appear almost as one and then shining so brightly that we can see them with binoculars.
That happened on December 21, 2020—the first day of the winter solstice. The month we love to celebrate Jesus’ birth and giving. But also the year that topped all other years with disaster and unpredicted happenings. The year we saw a pandemic ravage the world.
The planet’s alignment was called the “Christmas Star” or the “Bethlehem Star” because of when it happened and because some think this may have been what the Magi followed to the newborn Christ child.
This particular position of planets had not occurred since 1623. But no one saw it then because it happened during the daylight hours. The alignment had not occurred at night or been seen by humans since 1226—before telescopes were invented.
Fortunately, the Monday and Tuesday of its appearance witnessed clear weather. Thirty minutes after sunset, I stepped out our front door, looked at the southwest sky, and hoped to see the “star.” Sure enough, the conjunction appeared where scientists said. And on Tuesday night, my wife and I stepped outside again and saw it. I wanted to gaze on what no one would see again in a similar fashion until 2080, long after I’ve left this earth.
As wonderful as this great conjunction was, it is in no way comparable to another great connection—one that is not visible to the naked eye. One that occurs in the spiritual realm when God accepts us as His children.
Jesus tells how this process aligns. We believe He is God’s Son sent to pay for our sins and accept Him by faith. When we express this belief, God comes into our life through the presence of His Spirit and forms a great conjunction.
Once conjoined, we shine brightly, as the conjunction of Jupiter and Saturn did. Others can’t help but see with their naked eyes what has happened in our spirits and souls. Something changes on the inside that affects our outside.
Seeing something that no one had seen since the Middle Ages awed me. Knowing perhaps it could be the same arrangement that led the Magi to the Christ child made it even more special. I felt a sense of peace in the middle of a year that had done all within its power to steal peace. But the greater peace came in knowing a more special conjunction had occurred inside me.
This Christmas, make sure you have experienced the great conjunction.
Martin Wiles lives in Greenwood, SC, and is the founder of Love Lines from God. He is a freelance editor, English teacher, pastor, and author. He serves as Managing Editor for both Christian Devotions and Vinewords.net and is an instructor for the Christian PEN (professional editor’s network). Wiles is a multi-published author. His most recent book, Hurt, Hope and Healing: 52 Devotions That Will Lead to Spiritual Health, is available on Amazon. He and his wife are parents of two and grandparents of seven. He can be contacted at [email protected].