The only explanation which fits the facts is that this was a one-time, miraculous phenomenon. God used a star to alert the Wise Men to the birth of a new king in Israel. Somehow he used that same star to guide them to the Child's home. And when they found him, they gave him their hearts and gifts in worship. And found the hope, peace, joy, and love he alone can give. The star in the sky led them to the Star on earth.

Now, what if none of it were true? Several years ago, a group of historians asked themselves some interesting questions. What if Lee had not lost at Gettysburg? What if Booth had missed Lincoln? What if Napoleon had escaped to America? And so on. They wrote a book about their discussion titled, If: History Rewritten. Let's ask their question tonight. What if there were no star in the heavens because there were no star on earth?

What if none of it had happened?

We could not know God. Before Christmas, our pictures of God were finite and fallen. Zeus throwing thunderbolts, or a clockmaker watching the world run down, or some impersonal life force pervading the universe. But then God became a baby and grew up to be a healer, lover, teacher, and sacrifice. If Christmas had not come, we could not know God.

We would live in separation from God. This is the basic problem in all human experience: we are estranged from our Creator. Pascal was right: there is a God-shaped emptiness inside each of us. Our sins have separated us from God. If his Son had not left heaven for earth, we could never leave earth for heaven.

We would spend eternity apart from God. Our last sin would be enough to keep us out of his perfect paradise forever. If his star had not come to light our world with his love, we could never find our way home.

Have you been wise enough to follow the star in the sky to the star in the stable? To make him your personal Savior and Lord? To share his light with your dark world? Well?