Jaroslav Vajda's text "Shine Like Stars" is a wonderful hymn text to consider as we mark the Epiphany of our Lord. One thinks of these passages from Daniel and Isaiah and how Vajda ties them together: "And those who are wise shall shine like the brightness of the sky above; and those who turn many to righteousness, like the stars forever and ever." (Dan. 12:3) "Arise, shine; For your light has come! And the glory of the Lord is risen upon you." (Is. 60:1) Vajda's text helps us focus upon the One who is the bright Morning Star, Christ Jesus, who asks us as His disciples to let our light shine before others and so glorify our Father in heaven (Matt. 5:16):
1.
See how the galaxies are always there,
Made by the One whose glories they declare,
Signs of a God with might and care to spare:
Shine like those stars!
2.
So we are made to occupy a place
Within a firmament of time and space,
Each one enlightened with a special grace
To shine like stars.
3.
Who were the stars God gave us in our youth?
Who led us to the Way, the Life, the Truth?
Now when we show our children that same route,
We shine like stars.
4.
Who are those loved ones always at our side,
Who walk before us, each a trusted guide,
Who give us only what true friends provide,
Who shine like stars?
5.
Here by our faith and hope and love we shine,
Revealing by our deeds a pow’r divine,
One almost hears God saying, “You are mine,
You shine like stars!"
6.
Though passing clouds may for a moment hide
Our gleams of faith, God’s promises abide:
One day our orbits will be glorified—
So shine like stars!
7.
How many have been led to Bethlehem
To see the Morning Star arise for them?
Now glitt’ring di’monds in His diadem,
They shine like stars.
8.
There we are set to occupy the height,
To glow the brightest in the darkest night,
That many still may know the world’s true Light,
Shine, shine like stars!
3.
Who were the stars God gave us in our youth?
Who led us to the Way, the Life, the Truth?
Now when we show our children that same route,
We shine like stars.
4.
Who are those loved ones always at our side,
Who walk before us, each a trusted guide,
Who give us only what true friends provide,
Who shine like stars?
5.
Here by our faith and hope and love we shine,
Revealing by our deeds a pow’r divine,
One almost hears God saying, “You are mine,
You shine like stars!"
6.
Though passing clouds may for a moment hide
Our gleams of faith, God’s promises abide:
One day our orbits will be glorified—
So shine like stars!
7.
How many have been led to Bethlehem
To see the Morning Star arise for them?
Now glitt’ring di’monds in His diadem,
They shine like stars.
8.
There we are set to occupy the height,
To glow the brightest in the darkest night,
That many still may know the world’s true Light,
Shine, shine like stars!
