via TJC
As the celebration of Christmas approaches, this week we are focusing on Jesus as son.
“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 great 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. … 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.” ~ Luke 2:8-10,13-15 (ESV)
Jesus’s coming to Earth is the inflection point in history. The measure for time periods became Before Christ (BC, now BCE) and Anno Domini (Latin for “year of our Lord”, AD, now CE).
Before Jesus came to Earth, there were examples foreshadowing his coming, such as in the Old Testament the 4th person in the furnace with Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, or Jacob wrestling all night.
The righteous trusted in the God to come and believed in His promises; however, all people, including the righteous, were bound by Death.
When God entered Creation itself, Emmanuel, He did so as a vulnerable baby, born to an impoverished family, with a teenage mother, questioned legitimacy (John 8:19), and might not have been a cute baby (Isaiah 53:2b). All in humility, so that His Majesty existed from the inside out not from the outside in.
When God entered Creation, became incarnate, the event was so glorious, even the observing Angels could not hold back, as they appeared and sang praises (Luke 2).
Christmas each year for me is a time of renewal, I consider deeper & deeper the impact of Christ coming, upon me, and upon this world.
This year I was recently in Eastern Europe. The stores were playing seasonal songs (including Jingle Bells set to EDM-which I had never heard before), but many stores were playing Christmas Carols, in English. I would often pause and sing along to me and my wife. There is a power in many of these older songs, and now even more appreciate the heritage we have with these songs.
Daily Battle Order: Pause for a few minutes, access a traditional Christmas Carol, and sing along. Bring in your family, and discuss together the meaning and power behind the words.
Here is one song suggestion:
Hark the herald angels sing, "Glory to the newborn King!"
Peace on earth and mercy mild, God and sinners reconciled"
Joyful, all ye nations rise join the triumph of the skies
With angelic host proclaim: "Christ is born in Bethlehem"
Hark! The herald angels sing, "Glory to the newborn King!".
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