Christmas is a time when love seems almost touchable: when everyone seems to be drunk with a radical love. A giving love. There is an aroma of magnificent evergreen trees and scrumptious cookies filling houses with a sweet scent. Christmas is a moment during the year when you can hear songs of truth and anticipation of a coming Savior, a Redeemer, on mainstream radio stations…and people are actually singing along.
I have always adored Christmas time. It is a time of year of snuggling in your favorite chair, with your bible and journal, close to a cozy fire. And you can’t forget about your favorite Holiday drink from Starbucks! The red and white cup is easily my favorite accessory to any outfit. Christmas is a magical and enchanting season of laughter, warmth, love, traditions, family and faith
O come, O come Emmanuel,
and ransom captive Israel;
that mourns in lonely exile here
until the son of God appear.
I just finished reading Cosmic Christmas by Max Lucado. It completely blew my mind and opened my eyes to a side of the Christmas story I have never considered before. The spiritual warfare side of the Christmas story. It gave me a glimpse into God’s heart for sending His son to us in a brand new and creative way. Here is my favorite scene from the first chapter. It is written in the perspective of the angel Gabriel (the angel that tells Mary she is pregnant). The setting is the throne room of God. Satan (also called Lucifer) enters in and this scene is the dialoged between God and Satan. Remember this is a fictional story. Max Lucado used his imagination to write this book but the main truths are very real. God loves us. God is sovereign. God is good. Immanuel: God with us.
* * * *
Then God said, “The time has come for the second gift.”
Lucifer chuckled, “The second gift, eh? I hope it works better than the first.”
You’re disappointed with the first?” asked the Father.
“Oh, quite the contrary; I’ve delighted in it.” Lifting a bony finger, he spelled a word in the air. C-H-O-I-C-E.
“You gave Adam his choice.” Satan scoffed. “And what a choice he made! He chose me. Ever since the fruit was plucked from the tree in the Garden, I’ve held Your children captive. They fell. Fast. Hard. They are mine. You have failed. Heh-heh-heh.”
“You speak so confidently.” Replied the Father, astounding me with His patience.
Lucifer stepped forward, “Of course! I thwart everything You do! You soften hearts, I harden them. You teach truth, I shadow it. You offer joy, I steal it. You must admit, my work has been crafty.”
“Crafty? Perhaps. But effective? No. I know what you will do even before you do it. You deceptions have only served as platforms for My mercy. You are still My servant, Satan. When will you learn? Your feeble attempts to disturb My work only enable My work. Every act you have intended for evil, I have used for good.”
The two stood facing each other. God robed in light, each thread glowing. Satan canopied in evil, the very fabric of his robe seeming to crawl…
Satan rose to read the book of Life that God held.
He read the words: Immanuel.
“Immanuel? God with us?” No. Not even you would do that. Not even you would go so far. The plan is bizarre! You don’t know how dark I’ve made the Earth. It’s putrid. It’s evil. It’s….”
“It’s is MINE,” proclaimed the King. And I will reclaim what is mine. I will become flesh. I will feel what My creatures feel. I will see what they see.”
Satan stood speechless.
God spoke, “I love my children. Love does not take away the beloved’s freedom. But love takes away fear. And Immanuel will leave behind a tribe of fearless children. I will take away all sin. I will take away death. Without sin and without death, you have no power. My children will not fear you or your hell.
“Why?” Satan asked. “Why would you do this?”
The Father’s voice was deep and soft.
“Because I love them.”
* * * *
In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was in the beginning with God. All things came into being through him, and without him not one thing came into being. What has come into being in him was life, and the life was the light of all people. The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness did not (and could not) overcome it.There was a man sent from God, whose name was John. He came as a witness to testify to the light, so that all might believe through him. He himself was not the light, but he came to testify to the light. The true light, which enlightens everyone, was coming into the world.He was in the world, the world that was there through him, and yet the world didn’t even notice. He came to his own people, but they didn’t want him. But whoever did want him, who believed he was who he claimed and would do what he said, He made to be their true selves, he gave power to become children of God, who were born, not of blood or of the will of the flesh or of the will of man, but of God
The Word became flesh and blood, and moved into the neighborhood, to live among us.
~John 1:1-14 (MSG and NRSV)
“Remember, Christ, our Saviour
Was born on Christmas day
To save us all from Satan’s power
When we were gone astray”
In reflective awe and wonder this Advent/Christmas season,
Heidi
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