was born to be King of the Jews is uncertain, but likely they learned it from Jewish exiles like Daniel. The shepherds were given a sign by which they could discover the Christ child—He would be found lying in a manger, a most familiar place for a shepherd. For the Wise Men God gave a special sign, appropriate to them—a star! After they had visited Jerusalem and learned from the scribes that the Messiah was to be born in Bethlehem, the star went before them, “until it stopped over the place where the child was.” When they saw the star leading them to the fulfillment of their search they rejoiced “with an exceedingly great joy.”
In a profoundly picturesque way Jesus has become that star, as He says of Himself in the closing words of Scripture, “I am the Root and the Offspring of David, and the bright Morning Star” (Revelation 22:26 NIV). Today, the star of Bethlehem is a reminder that a Savior has been born and is worthy of our worship.