The Journey to Christmas: The Invasion Begins
It was a busy night in the ancient town of Bethlehem. Due to Caesar’s demand for a census, people from all over are returning to the homes of their ancestors to register. Outside the town, the shepherds are keeping watch over the flocks; continuing in a tradition held even by David, their forefather and most celebrated king. The inn is filled to the brim with visitors seeking safety for the night. More comparable to a saloon, the establishment is crawling with prostitutes, thieves, drunks, and others unfortunate enough to be stuck in the middle. The streets are quieting as those in the community board up for the evening. Few are aware that in the barn behind the inn, the time-splitting event in human history is underway.
Mary and Joseph are one of the many couples traveling to their homeland. Since their lineage dates back to King David, they have travelled to the town. As soon as they arrive, Mary goes into labor. After getting rejected from the inn, they take residence with the animals. In the simplest of towns among the simplest of couples, a child is born and the world is forever changed.
As the events behind the inn unfold, the lowly shepherds are resting and keeping watch when an angel appears. Frightening and awesome in appearance, these lonely outcasts are terrified by this heavenly messenger. With fear striking their hearts, the angel assures them that he comes to bring good news. The rescuer has arrived!
While the shepherds marvel, an entire host of angels appear. They are not singing but proclaiming, "Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace to men on whom his favor rests." It is like the battle cry of an army. The King has arrived and victory is imminent!
At the scene of man’s captivity to death, the Creator promised a rescuer. He selected for himself a people who he fought for and delivered from oppression. As their sin mirrored that of Adam and Eve’s, they found themselves in captivity once again. From there, the promise was renewed that a deliverer would arrive. And in a world that celebrates kings, prophets, and warriors, God chose to use the forgotten and outcast to carry out his plan.
On this innocent evening, the armies of light declared war on the principalities of darkness. The Creator has come back for his people. Not only was he born, but he paid the price for our sin through death on the cross. Three days later, he conquered even death! Jesus Christ came to fight for us when we could not fight for ourselves. Paul explains it best.
“When you were dead in your sins and in the uncircumcision of your sinful nature, God made you alive with Christ. He forgave us all our sins, having canceled the written code, with its regulations, that was against us and that stood opposed to us; he took it away, nailing it to the cross. And having disarmed the powers and authorities, he made a public spectacle of them, triumphing over them by the cross (Col. 2:13-15).”
Merry Christmas.
Mary and Joseph are one of the many couples traveling to their homeland. Since their lineage dates back to King David, they have travelled to the town. As soon as they arrive, Mary goes into labor. After getting rejected from the inn, they take residence with the animals. In the simplest of towns among the simplest of couples, a child is born and the world is forever changed.
As the events behind the inn unfold, the lowly shepherds are resting and keeping watch when an angel appears. Frightening and awesome in appearance, these lonely outcasts are terrified by this heavenly messenger. With fear striking their hearts, the angel assures them that he comes to bring good news. The rescuer has arrived!
While the shepherds marvel, an entire host of angels appear. They are not singing but proclaiming, "Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace to men on whom his favor rests." It is like the battle cry of an army. The King has arrived and victory is imminent!
At the scene of man’s captivity to death, the Creator promised a rescuer. He selected for himself a people who he fought for and delivered from oppression. As their sin mirrored that of Adam and Eve’s, they found themselves in captivity once again. From there, the promise was renewed that a deliverer would arrive. And in a world that celebrates kings, prophets, and warriors, God chose to use the forgotten and outcast to carry out his plan.
On this innocent evening, the armies of light declared war on the principalities of darkness. The Creator has come back for his people. Not only was he born, but he paid the price for our sin through death on the cross. Three days later, he conquered even death! Jesus Christ came to fight for us when we could not fight for ourselves. Paul explains it best.
“When you were dead in your sins and in the uncircumcision of your sinful nature, God made you alive with Christ. He forgave us all our sins, having canceled the written code, with its regulations, that was against us and that stood opposed to us; he took it away, nailing it to the cross. And having disarmed the powers and authorities, he made a public spectacle of them, triumphing over them by the cross (Col. 2:13-15).”
Merry Christmas.
posted by Matt Morrison | 1:47 AM
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