Our Father in heaven, hallowed be your name,
Your Kingdom come,
your will be done,
on earth
as it is in heaven.
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I am celebrating Christmas this year in the light of the revelation of the Kingdom of God. I am in a season of learning what it means to live in and lay hold of the Kingdom of God. Jesus has shown me that from the beginning God’s desire has been for his dwelling place to be with Man, and I cannot think of a more precious illustration of the lengths God will go to, to make it happen than the birth of Jesus.
The Kingdom of God- the Kingdom Christ eventually preaches- is one where those who would be great must become the least. From the beginning, God brought his Kingdom to earth in this fashion- the lowly and humble birth of Christ would be the first of many ways that Christ would show us this “greatest, least” spiritual law.
I pray that the magnitude of the miracle birth of Christ would continue to wow and amaze us long after this holiday season draws to a close.
Alpha and Omega. God without beginning and without end,
subjects himself to the frame of time.
He is born.
God who is Spirit, present everywhere in every moment,
becomes for the first time confined within human likeness.
Spirit God puts skin on.
Behold, Almighty God who routes each lightening bolt and stirs the tempest,
trades all his strength and power for the humblest form;
a helpless baby.
Heaven’s King robed in majesty, worshipped day and night by holy Seraphim,
willingly steps from his throne room and heavenly courtyards.
Wrapped in swaddling clothes he lies in a manger.
The voice of Creator God, which powerfully spoke the whole world into being,
is now constrained by growth and development of his own design.
His cries echo in the darkness.
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There were sheepherders camping in the neighborhood. They had set night watches over their sheep. Suddenly, God’s angel stood among them and God’s glory blazed around them. They were terrified. The angel said,
“Don’t be afraid. I’m here to announce a great and joyful event that is meant for everybody, worldwide. A Savior has just been born in David’s town, a Savior who is Messiah and Master. This is what you’re to look for: a baby wrapped in a blanket and lying in a manger.”
At once the angel was joined by a huge angelic choir singing God’s praises:
Glory to God in the heavenly heights,
Peace to all men and women on earth who please him.
