Suggested Reading: Luke 2:8-15
As
we draw near to Christmas, we often see nativity scenes and sing songs that
reflect on little baby Jesus. There is nothing wrong with drawing up beside the
manger and gazing in wonder at God wrapped in the skin of a helpless, human
baby. It is good and right that we wonder at His humility and this miracle.
But
there is another side to this story.
The
miracle of the incarnation is a moment of incredible power. It was a decisive
event in the destiny of the universe, the turning point of history.
When
Christ emptied Himself of His divine power and knowledge, He performed a deed
of breathtaking heroism. His submission in the incarnation was a heroic act of
faith, and a dramatic step in the war in heaven.
The
Apostle John was given a vision of what was happening on a cosmic level in the
birth of Jesus. He records his vision in the 12th chapter of Revelation. John
saw Satan, the enemy of God and of man, trying to prevent the birth of the
Christ child and to destroy him, but God preserved the baby's life and Satan
was defeated. Notice that he was defeated at the birth of the child.
The
birth of Jesus was a military victory in the battle between good and evil.
Is
it any wonder that when the angels ambushed those unsuspecting shepherds they
were armed for battle. Luke describes the shepherds as being scared by the
appearance of one angel, but imagine their terror when the sky is opened and
they were suddenly confronted by a massive contingent of the heavenly army. One
messenger angel was terrifying; I can't imagine the fear inspired by an angelic
war host.
The
Christmas story is not just about a humble carpenter and his virgin bride in a
stable in Bethlehem. There is much more going on there than the simple
surroundings would indicate. This is a
momentous occasion of great cosmic importance. The armies of heaven were
literally present in Bethlehem that night. Only the shepherds got to see them,
but they were there.
The
lonely couple far from home, giving birth to this little baby, and laying him
in a feeding trough were playing their part in one of the most powerful and
pivotal moments of all time.
I
wonder what is going on right now. I wonder what God is doing around us and
through us if we could only see it?
....................
Questions:
Have
you considered that you are part of a spiritual war?
What
might your assignment be as one deployed on behalf of God’s Kingdom?
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