Genesis 3:15 - "And I will put enmity between thee and the woman, and between thy seed and her Seed; it shall bruise thy head, and thou shall bruise his heal."
The spinning flame of the Cherub's sword now stood guard over the thick mist that surrounded the fast fading memory of a glorious garden home. There was the slithering sound of the adversarial deceiver groveling in his own dust as he made his shame filled way into the darkness.
The first family of creation stood with the fragmented images of Christmas Future wrapped around their embarrassingly naked bodies. The breach of their relationship had placed death as the indelible scar on their castaway lives and fallen minds. In spite of the fact that they were now exposed to an unprotected life; that last moment with God in the garden, empowered them ...by the promise of the birth and death of Lamb of God, the "Seed" deliverer.
The string of prophetical themes that lead us: a shepherd boy turned king, a kingly line with promise, a star, a stable, a stall, a feed trough, an unnoticed young but devout couple, ... a "virgin" birthed baby ... the Son of God, the Lamb of God ... His birth first announced by angels to shepherds. What an amazing sneak attack... wrapped in swaddling cloth and placed in a manger, above the ground! Even the slithering serpent, Satan, did not feel the gentle vibrations of the arrival of this little stranger, who would grow up under the shadow of the Cross and an empty tomb.
The world was asleep as it is today ... broken, crying, longing for something or someone to release them from the seen and unseen bondage caused by the breach in the garden so long ago. There seems to be a desire to stay numb, anesthetized, detached, asleep, hoping to avoid the responsibilities and the consequences of the fall.
There are so many whispers from the Serpent that call for an over-arching proclamation of irresponsibility to the words of God. This proclamation offers religious detours and alternative beliefs to avoid of the need for a confrontation with God; but God in His wisdom always provides a way to Him that comforts even the most fragile soul.
What child is this Christmas Stranger? Why is His arrival so vital to the salvation of the human race? Why would His appearance disrupt the hands of time? Why would His birth be the subject of continued controversy? Why does this Child have such a hold on this season? Why does the sight of or the knowing of this Child create exceeding great joy?
Come close to the manger's edge of your heart...bow and peer into the vast comfort of God's love gift, Jesus. Worship and adore Him in a perpetual Christmas reception.
Matt. 2:10 - "And when the saw the star, they rejoiced with exceeding great joy."
HLFA,
Jeff