'TWAS THE NIGHT BEFORE CHRISTMAS...
Everything that God the Father had commanded had been done. All was very carefully prepared. Gabriel had gone to Mary and explained to her that she had been chosen by God to be the mother of the Messiah. Then he had gone to Joseph and calmed his spirit by telling him that Mary’s pregnancy was a miracle of God. On the night before Christmas Gabriel was occupying his usual place near the throne, waiting to see if he would be needed yet again. Caesar Augustus had been prompted to take a census of his empire which caused the chosen family to embark on their journey to Bethlehem. The caravansary in Bethlehem was filled so Joseph was trying to make Mary as comfortable as possible in a stable. The shepherds were in position; camping in the fields outside Bethlehem. The Christ star was prepared as a signal to God’s magi in Parthia. The angelic host was gathered for their approaching mission to Earth and the fields of Bethlehem. All was in place and the fullness of time was at hand.
There must have been a sense of great wonder and awe in heaven over what was about to happen. The citizens of heaven gathered close around the throne to listen to the conversation between the Father and the Son. The Son was preparing to take leave of his Father and he was saying goodbye. He was about to set aside the glory that had been his throughout eternity. He was humbling himself, preparing to take on the form of a human being. The angels wondered to one another, “How can he do such a thing?” They struggled to understand the mind of God and his plan.
The time had come. The angels were in place. The star was ready. Jesus said goodbye. What did Jesus say to his Father? What were his words? The farewell message had been given to King David as a prophecy and David had written them in one of his psalms, Psalm 40. The Son fulfilled the prophecy by repeating them to his Father and they are recorded for us in Hebrews 10:5-7.
Therefore, when Christ came into the world, he said:
"Sacrifice and offering you did not desire,
but a body you prepared for me;
with burnt offerings and sin offerings
you were not pleased.
Then I said, 'Here I am—it is written about me in the scroll—
I have come to do your will, O God.' "
This is what the Son of God said to his Father on the night before Christmas!
There must have been a sense of great wonder and awe in heaven over what was about to happen. The citizens of heaven gathered close around the throne to listen to the conversation between the Father and the Son. The Son was preparing to take leave of his Father and he was saying goodbye. He was about to set aside the glory that had been his throughout eternity. He was humbling himself, preparing to take on the form of a human being. The angels wondered to one another, “How can he do such a thing?” They struggled to understand the mind of God and his plan.
The time had come. The angels were in place. The star was ready. Jesus said goodbye. What did Jesus say to his Father? What were his words? The farewell message had been given to King David as a prophecy and David had written them in one of his psalms, Psalm 40. The Son fulfilled the prophecy by repeating them to his Father and they are recorded for us in Hebrews 10:5-7.
Therefore, when Christ came into the world, he said:
"Sacrifice and offering you did not desire,
but a body you prepared for me;
with burnt offerings and sin offerings
you were not pleased.
Then I said, 'Here I am—it is written about me in the scroll—
I have come to do your will, O God.' "
This is what the Son of God said to his Father on the night before Christmas!
posted by Shiloh Guy @ Thursday, December 24, 2009
3 comments
3 Comments:
Merry Christmas Shiloh Guy!
Thanks, Keri! And I hope you guys have a really special Christmas too!
Interesting question: "When did Christ take on human flesh - at birth or at conception?" Your answer to this question my have implications in other areas. Not sure what I think but I am leaning toward at conception.
Post a Comment
<< Home