Heaven’s Anticipation
I wonder what heaven looked like that very first Christmas so long ago. Often we speak of the story and Nativity, but what of God Himself and the angels? Perhaps let us take a new look on this well worn and celebrated day. A new perspective. We will have to start at the beginning though.
Creation had fallen, Adam and Eve had sinned, and communion with God was broken. God’s heart was broken I am sure. He knew there was only one way this relationship with the creation He so loved could be mended, so He turned to His Son and asked Him that one question. Are you willing. The Father and the Son are one, yes, but I believe the question was still asked and the affirmation given. The angels gasped in wonder this is a love they knew not. This was a new thing. How would this come to pass? And so all of heaven waited. They waited as they watched the world below, many times with grief as the struggles and pains went on. I wonder if there weren’t times the angels asked if it was time. Many of them had been to the ones called prophets to tell of the coming of the Messiah, the Son of the Most High. Sometimes how He would come, sometimes what He would do, even how He would die. But when? When would this happen? Then one day the messages stopped.
Silence on the Earth.
It was long. Perhaps anticipation began to grow until one day God called Gabriel to His side.
“Gabriel,” He said, “do you se that couple there? The older one?”
“Yes.” Gabriel affirmed gazing at them.
“Zechariah has been serving Me many years and his wife Elizabeth has been faithful also. They are childless now, but that will soon change.”
“Are they the ones?” Gabriel asked.
God chuckled, “No, but their child will be special unto Me.”
Gabriel waited.
“Go to Zechariah now, as he enters the temple, and tell him of this child. The one who will ‘come in the spirit and power of Elijah…to make ready a people prepared for The Lord.'”
Gabriel nodded looked on a moment more as he spread his wings- here was the first message from heaven in many years going to this Levite couple praying for a child- and leapt to the world below.
The preparations began.
God turned to His Son. “There, there she is.” He pointed with excitement. The Son nodded in agreement. All of heaven gathered to see.
“There is the one who shall bear My Son to all the world.”
Murmurs filled the throne room as excitement filled the air. There, that young girl? They watched. For six months they watched. She certainly was faithful in her desire to serve God.
God again turned to His Son. It was time. The moment had come for the Son to step out of His God-ness and complete holiness into humanity.
Was it a hard parting?
He already knew what was going to happen. He already knew He was leaving heaven that day to go to a people that would reject Him and scorn Him. He already knew He was leaving Heaven to die among sinners. As He stood there on the edge of Heaven, I wonder if those thoughts filled His mind. He knew and yet He chose love. Slowly He turned back to the Father. “I see the pain and trials ahead, but I love You more than those. I will be home soon.” And then the parting hug.
Can you imagine that moment? Just stop a minute and ponder. For thirty-three years Jesus would physically be parted from His Father. That had to be a hard good-bye.
Jesus turned once more from the Father and His home. Glancing down He waited for the sign of His departure. All of heaven was silent.
Gabriel had left with his message moments before. He was to announce the news of God’s favour to the young virgin named Mary. When he met her he wondered at the simplicity, but then she gave her answer and he understood. Here was one willing to serve her God however He asked.
Gabriel looked up to heaven. The message had been delivered and the answer given; it was time.
The angels stood as the Son descended to take his place as a newly conceived babe in His mother’s womb. Excitement and perhaps an emptiness filled heaven. It had begun.
To be continued.
