There’s a New Star Shining Tonight
When they saw the star, they rejoiced with exceeding great joy.
Matthew 2:10 KJV
About the Song
This song was inspired by a couple of things.
First (of course) is my fixation with the Christmas star. I can’t help it. It’s a holdover from my childhood. The idea of a star that appeared at precisely the right time to herald the birth of Jesus Christ is just… well… awesome.
The second part is a bit more complicated. As I thought about the individuals involved with that holy night, I wondered… for whom was that star shining?
The wise men, of course, followed it as they sought the child who was born King of the Jews. Did the shepherds see it? The scriptural record doesn’t mention it. Did Mary see it and give thanks for this heavenly confirmation of her divine mission? Did Joseph see it and praise God for this new witness that he was doing the Lord’s work?
Did anyone in Bethlehem see it? Was anyone looking for it? Whether they saw it or not, it was shining for each one of them.
And for whom does it shine today? It shines for faithful seekers, and for returning sinners. It shines for sufferers, and for those who grieve. It shines for those who look for it, and for those who don’t.
It shines for all of us.
“May we, as did the Wise Men, seek a bright, particular star to guide us in our celebration of the Savior’s birth.”
Thomas S. Monson
Sheet Music Downloads
Spotify, Soundcloud (inc. free downloads)
Spotify:
There’s a New Star Shining Tonight (feat. Heather Prusse)
Soundcloud:
Click 
to download the free track for personal use.
Recording featuring vocals by Heather Prusse:
Piano Track:
Apple Music, Amazon
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Lyrics
For the shepherds abiding
In meadows dark and chill
For the wise men who marvel
At the sign o’er the hills
For the village all unknowing
Lying silent and still
There’s a new shining tonight
For a poor virgin mother
Sheltering her Child
For a vigilant guardian
Keeping watch by her side
For a Baby in a manger
‘neath the angel-filled skies
There’s a new star shining tonight
For the faithful who seek Him
On journeys of their own
For the penitent sinner
Longing for home
For the meek, the heavy laden,
All who suffer, all who mourn
There’s a new star alight
A Savior is born!
Alleluia! We praise Thee
Great God of all the earth!
Hallelujah! We praise Thee
Jesus, Lord, at thy birth!
For the Hope of all creation
For the Light of the world
There’s a new star shining tonight
There’s a new star
Alleluia!
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13 Comments
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I wanted to see this in SATB as well, so I wrote parts for the refrain. The verses were given to a duo: first verse to a man, second verse to a woman, third verse they sang together. Such a beautiful piece!
Thank you. Your new Christmas song AND the accompanying reasons that inspired you triggered an idea for my Ward’s Sacrament Christmas program. It all fell into place, including ideas for all additional music, in about 15 minutes. At my age, I didn’t think it was possible to still be creative….LOL.. It must have been my morning prayer asking for inspiration. Now, I just wait to see if the Bishopric likes it….
This beautiful song speaks to everyone! I am a pastoral musician at St. Lawrence Catholic Church in Lawrenceville, GA and we have been using many of your Christmas music for years; mostly choral pieces, which I’ve enjoyed playing for our choir. But because of the pandemic, we lost many choir members so now we just have only enough for two-part harmony. Don’t know if you have any for that limited a choir. But, I have sung some of your Christmas vocal songs; I’ll be singing this one for our prelude at Midnight Mass. Thank you for your talents which you so freely give!
This is a beautiful song! Such a wonderful message and spirit. I sang it for Christmas last year and our ward choir director loved it so much he wants to do it with the choir. Would you consider arranging an SATB version? Thank you for sharing your talents with us. We are so blessed by you.
Thank you for letting your talents be so inspired by heaven. I was blessed with the opportunity to sing your music today in my ward sacrament meeting. There’s A New Star Shining Tonight brought peace and joy.
I have also loved the vision and symbol of the star. Thank you for this beautiful gift.
Lovely, peaceful setting, Sally. Hope to perform it for an event this month! –Kim Cooney, Int’l. Sacred Tenor, Redmond WA
Sally,
Such a well-crafted song. The lyrics are extremely well selected. I really appreciate you musicianship!
Thank you so much!
A beautiful song! Thank you for sharing. Merry Christmas!
It’s so beautiful, Sally! My heart feels so full just listening to it…Thank you so much!
Merry Christmas to you, dear Sister! Thank you so much for your gift of yet another beautiful Christmas song.
Would love to see this in 4 part choir arrangement. So beautiful.
Beautiful! And so timely… I was just trying to figure out what to sing for Christmas Eve and now I know 🙂