On April 8, 2024, a 100-mile-wide track across the United States witnessed a total solar eclipse. In Central Texas, we were lucky to experience this awe-inspiring phenomenon.

It. was. fabulous!

The weather forecast for Monday had predicted overcast skies all day, so our hopes weren’t high. But around 12:30 p.m. CDT, the clouds began to part. With our protective eyewear on, we caught glimpses of the shifting sky—and just in time. As the total eclipse began, the clouds cleared enough to give us a perfect, unobstructed view for the entire three and a half minutes!

Witnessing this incredible sight, my heart could only exclaim: Yay, God! It was a breathtaking display of God’s creation, orchestrated by His hand alone.

The Psalms include numerous songs that praise God for his creation — the earth and the universe. It is notable that even the heavens themselves testify to the glory of God (Psalm 19:1). As followers of Christ, we are not supposed to worship the stars, moon, sun, or the universe itself; instead, our worship should be directed to God who created them and reigns supreme above all (Deuteronomy 4:19).

Many ancient civilizations were knowledgeable about significant astronomical events, particularly the constellations. For example, the Old Testament books of Amos and Job mention the constellations of Pleiades (a star cluster in Taurus), Orion, and The Bear (often associated with Ursa Major).

What about an eclipse? Scholars suggest that a solar eclipse may have occurred during the crucifixion of Jesus, as it is described that darkness fell over the land:

From noon until three in the afternoon darkness came over all the land.
– Matthew 27:45

At noon, darkness came over the whole land until three in the afternoon. – Mark 15:33

It was now about noon, and darkness came over the whole land until three in the afternoon, for the sun stopped shining. – Luke 23:44-45

Even if we must wait decades for another total eclipse, the heavens still declare His glory every night. Let’s not forget to look up—and praise the One who created it all.

Use the Sky Guide app to get notifications of what is happening in the sky or a website like Time and Date.

Disclosure: Photo capturing the April 2024 total solar eclipse from Austin, Texas used by permission of Svend Dalby.