The Star at the Church of the Nativity, Bethlehem

From St. Ephrem the Syrian, Hymns on the Nativity:

The star of light that shone forth suddenly beyond its nature is smaller than the sun yet greater than the sun; it was smaller in visible light, it was greater in hidden power because of its symbol.

The morning star shed its rays among the dark ones and led them like blind men. They came and received a great light.

They gave offerings and received life and worshipped and returned.

Above and below there were two harbingers for the Son: the star of light shouted out joyfully from above, and John proclaimed from below. Two harbingers: both and earthly one and a heavenly one.