Ah yes, it's the most wonderful time of the year. Not because of kids jingle-belling,
much mistletoe-ing, or scary ghost stories, but because we remember the time when Heaven invaded Earth. Heaven invading Earth...I've heard that before. However it never struck me as it did this past Wednesday at our group meeting.
Since it's the Christmas season I asked the members of our group to come to our meeting with a memory, song, or Bible verse that helps them focus on why we celebrate. Mine comes from "Charlie Brown Christmas", it's Linus' speech. (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UZw06AbW6Vw)
His speech is based on Luke 2:8-20.It reads, " And in the same region there were shepherds out in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night. And an angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were filled with fear. And the angel said to them, "Fear not, for behold, I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people. For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord. And this will be a sign for you: you will find a baby wrapped in swaddling cloths and lying in a manger." And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God and saying,
"Glory to God in the highest,
and on earth peace among those with whom he is pleased!"
When the angels went away from them into heaven, the shepherds said to one another, "Let us go over to Bethlehem and see this thing that has happened, which the Lord has made known to us." And they went with haste and found Mary and Joseph, and the baby lying in a manger. And when they saw it, they made known the saying that had been told them concerning this child. And all who heard it wondered at what the shepherds told them. But Mary treasured up all these things, pondering them in her heart. And the shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all they had heard and seen, as it had been told them."
While I was reading this verse, I was reminded of Revelation 4:6-11. It reads,
"And around the throne, on each side of the throne, are four living creatures, full of eyes in front and behind: the first living creature like a lion, the second living creature like an ox, the third living creature with the face of a man, and the fourth living creature like an eagle in flight. And the four living creatures, each of them with six wings, are full of eyes all around and within, and day and night they never cease to say,
"Holy, holy, holy, is the Lord God Almighty,
who was and is and is to come!"
And whenever the living creatures give glory and honor and thanks to him who is seated on the throne, who lives forever and ever, the twenty-four elders fall down before him who is seated on the throne and worship him who lives forever and ever. They cast their crowns before the throne, saying,
"Worthy are you, our Lord and God,
to receive glory and honor and power,
for you created all things,
and by your will they existed and were created."
This is where I thought about the term "Heaven invades Earth". The glory of heaven is seen in the earthly realm! THE GLORY OF HEAVEN IS SEEN IN THE EARTHLY REALM!! That just blew me away! Can you imagine what it must have been like for the shepherds to witness such glory? ANGELS! HEAVENLY HOSTS!
Even more they were announcing the birth of the Savior, Christ the Lord! Emanuel! God with us! Wonderful Counselor! Mighty God! Everlasting Father! Prince of Peace! The Word had become flesh and was going to dwell with mankind! HEAVEN INVADES EARTH!
The Creator of the world enters the world not like a conquering king but as a humble servant. Phillipians 2:5-11 says, " Your attitude should be the same as that of Christ Jesus:
Who, being in very nature God,
did not consider equality with God something to be grasped,
but made himself nothing,
taking the very nature of a servant,
being made in human likeness.
And being found in appearance as a man,
he humbled himself
and became obedient to death—
even death on a cross!
Therefore God exalted him to the highest place
and gave him the name that is above every name,
that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow,
in heaven and on earth and under the earth,
and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord,
to the glory of God the Father.
The invasion was a mission of mercy. God sacrificing His Son. (Isaiah 53:5 says he was crushed for our iniquities.) But it doesn't end there. Romans 10:10 says, "For the death He died he died to sin, once for all, but the life He lives he lives to God." It sounds horrible. How can a loving God choose to redeem us that way? Hebrews 12:2 says, "...looking to Jesus, the founder and perfecter of our faith, who for the JOY (emphasis mine) that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is seated at the right hand of the throne of God."
The Savior of the earth is born in a manger not a palace. Who are one of the first to see Him? Shepherds... not kings... not royalty... not rulers of nations... humble shepherds. 1 Corinthians 1:26-29 says, " Remember, dear brothers and sisters, that few of you were wise in the world’s eyes or powerful or wealthy when God called you. Instead, God chose things the world considers foolish in order to shame those who think they are wise. And he chose things that are powerless to shame those who are powerful. God chose things despised by the world, things counted as nothing at all, and used them to bring to nothing what the world considers important. As a result, no one can ever boast in the presence of God." I am humbled.
Merry Christmas. God bless y'all real good.
