Star Of Wonder

Phil Wickham's “Star Of Wonder” borrows its opening from the carol “We Three Kings” and adds new lines that make it a worship song. The traditional words, “Star of wonder, star of light, star with royal beauty bright, westward leading, still proceeding, guide us to Thy perfect light,” stay close to the original and keep the picture of travelers following a star.

The second verse changes the address from the star to the God who sent it: “God of wonder, God of light, God is with us here tonight.” It names “Holy Savior in this manger,” who has come “to set the world to right.” The third verse sees the child as a gift, “gift of wonder, gift of light,” and names the one at the center, “Heaven's glory here before me, born to bring the dead to life.” The short lyric keeps the focus on light, and the move from guide to gift to Savior follows the Christmas story in order.

The star and the travelers come from Matthew 2:2. The manger setting is Luke 2:12, and light shining in darkness, with the darkness not overcoming it, is John 1:5.