“Jesus Christ of Nazareth, the All Star of All Time”-Bob Naegele Jr.

The hockey world lost a great friend in early November of this year. Bob Naegele, Jr., the original owner of the Minnesota Wild, passed away on November 7. As an HMI teammate, he had a special interest in our All Star Outreach Breakfasts conducted annually during NHL All Star weekends.  At the Los Angeles Breakfast in 2002 he coined the phrase: “Jesus Christ of Nazareth, the All Star of All Time.”  Bob’s message: “Great to have All Star players participating in our event, but there is One far greater in our midst- Jesus Christ, the Son of God, the true All Star. He is the One to be exalted. Hockey stars may shine for a few years but, their light eventually flickers and goes out. The eternal All Star- will shine forever.” The Apostle John wrote: Jesus’ life is “the light of men. And the light shines in the darkness and the darkness can never extinguish it.” (John 1:4 and 5)    

The Star of Christmas was foretold by the ancient prophet, “The people walking in darkness have seen a great light, on those living in the shadow of death a light has dawned. “ (Isaiah 9:2) The true light that shines in the darkness arrived that first Christmas over 2000 years ago. Later in His journey to the cross Jesus proclaimed: “I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness but have the light of life.” (John 8:12)  

God Himself, arranged for a bright star in the sky to guide the magi to His Star, who was born in Bethlehem.  They inquired: ‘Where is the one who has been born King of the Jews? We saw His star in the east and have come to worship Him. “And with great joy they “saw the child with his mother, Mary and they bowed down and worshipped Him.”(Matthew 2:2 and 11) God’s goal is that all who encounter Jesus –God’s Son- will worship Him. During this Christmas season as you reflect on the story, enjoy the lights, and sing the carols take time to worship God’s All Star of All Time and ask Him to “let His light shine in your heart so that you can know the glory of God seen in the face of Jesus Christ.” (2 Corinthians 4:6)

“To me Christmas means Christ. It is a time to reflect not only upon His miraculous birth, but also upon my spiritual birth...” (Chico Resch, Stanley Cup Winner and current colour analyst New Jersey Devils, NHL.)