The Star

Limathung Yanthan (a.k.a Richard Carbo)

Once upon a time, a young Naga boy carrying a dao, asked his father: “Why are we going into the jungle to cut down one bamboo tree? Why can’t we spend a few rupees and buy one from the grove near the village?” The elder father just kept walking through the jungle, looking for the right size bamboo tree. I ask you: What could one long bamboo tree be used for? Think about it, but as you are thinking, let me give you some more hints in understanding this search. The bamboo tree should be from 20 to 30 feet long. It should be straight and sturdy. The time of year is when the sun sets early and takes a long time to come back. When you take a breath you are able to see your vapor. It is cold. Trees shed their leaves and rivers dry up and all in all it is dusty. Soon a child is to be born.

I have visited Nagaland 3 times, usually in early January. On one of my visits, I was staying in Kohima and at night I looked up and saw the stars as I had never seen them before. Being from New York City, our city lights prevented me from seeing the sky as it really is. How lucky you are! Then I noticed that the hills around Kohima were also filled with stars of different colors. Stars not only in the sky but also on land. I was told it is a tradition that each family place a star on a bamboo tree and place it over their home. Here in America we decorate our homes with thousands of lights and decorations of all kinds, but I think you have it right, JUST ONE STAR. Now I know what the father was searching for. That bamboo tree that would hold his star that would be erected over his home. 

In the Bible we recall the story of the 3 Magi: “Behold wise men came from the East to Jerusalem, saying ‘Where is he that is born King of the Jews? For we have seen his star in the East and have come to adore Him’. . . The star which they had seen in the East went before them, till it came and stood over the place where the child was. And seeing the star, they rejoiced with very great joy” (Mathew 2: 1-12). 

What a wonderful symbol: a star over each house where the infant Jesus could be found. Sometimes we do not realize or we forget what our symbols really mean and stand for. What kind of impressions they make on foreigners, especially men from the West.

Living in New York City, I never see the Empire State Building, Times Square, or Rockefeller Center. Oh yes they are there but because I live here I pay little attention to them and thus never see them and admire their beauty. That may be the same with you in Nagaland. You might never see the stars over your heads and your homes but I certainly saw them and saw their significance. The stars told me that you believe Jesus lives in your homes. That your lives are lived in the message and word that Jesus brought: “Love one another as I have loved you.” 

Besides following the star, the Wise Men brought gifts to give at the end of their search as I guess this was the beginning of gift giving at birthdays. The gifts the Wise Men gave were gifts worthy of a King. Would they be worthy of us? 

Some years ago, my sister gave me a Christmas gift that I really had no use for. Never telling her, I decided to re-gift it to someone else (“re-gift” means giving what you receive and giving it as a gift to someone else.) I figured this was a very easy way of getting rid of what I did not need and giving a gift to someone I had planed to give a gift to. Now I always wondered what happened to those gifts the Wise Men brought: Gold, Frankincense and Myrrh. We are told that the Holy Family went in haste to Egypt leaving everything behind. What about those gifts? Did Mary and Joseph “re-gift” them? And who got those “re-gifts”? An interesting thought! The gifts the Wise men gave were gifts worthy of a King. Would they be worthy of us?

Now, back to my sister’s gift, what she gave me was very appreciated by the one I gave it to. Till today when I visit my friend I see my sister’s gift to me in a very prominent place in his home. Sometimes I wonder should I have kept it for myself? Mary and Joseph were willing to give up the gifts given to their child because they realized how the ones who got them would appreciate it. You and I are the recipients of those gifts; they were “re-gifted” to us, gifts worthy of a king and now presented to us. That is what the Christmas season is all about – gift giving.  Jesus gives us gifts and expects us to share those gifts with one another. It is interesting to note that on His Birthday, He is the one giving the gifts. Not we giving Him a gift. 

Imagine having the Infant Jesus living in your home, as the star indicates. During this Christmas season we again are reminded that the Prince of Peace was born so peace, the gift he gave us, can live in your hearts and homes. We are constantly being challenged to live that message. A message that is always easier to say than to live. 

Soon after Epiphany, the days will get longer, the heat will reappear, the rains will come, rivers will flow, leaves will sprout from their branches and it will be time to plant the paddy and the child will be growing up. Hopefully peace will also grow in you hearts and homes as well. The star over your home will be taken down, waiting for next year, but NOT its meaning. Christ must live in your home always and in all ways. This is the challenge that confronts us nowadays. 

Riding along National Highway 39 in Nagaland I am always amused by the pithy signs along the road, cautioning people to drive with care. One particular sign caught my eye. It said “He died so you can live, drive safely.” Maybe we can change that sign a little and say, “He was born so you could live.” Take the gift you received because of His birth and share it with one another. Merry Christmas!