I don't think we want to "really see" sometimes ... I think we would sooner choose blindness of the mind than have our souls truly set on fire by the revelation of truth. The sum of earth bound mankind would rather have their "childlike attributes" tickled by tales of fairies and dwarves that magically drizzle blessings and miracles in their passing on good little boys and girls, than to have their perception challenged by the glimpses of glory that flash from Heaven like life changing solar flares of Grace's story unfolding. As we grow older we realize that we have built our taste for magic on the obscenely erroneous tales from the imaginations of mere mortals rather than diving in to the lasting riches of glory found in the eternal words of scripture.
I am not asking us to turn off the wide-eyed wonder of a child ... But I am urging us to build our excitement and anticipation for the miraculous on more than just twinkling lights, glittering balls, tinsel, bows and wrapping paper; let's fasten our hearts on the amazing mystical character of God: who loved the unlovely enough to hold back the horrendous destructive tide of righteous judgment by sending the most unexpected rescue ... "A babe wrapped in swaddling clothes, lying in a manger".
The story actually started in the eons of eternity ... Long before the earth was ever formed ... Long before a peaceful garden was disturbed by the selfish and deadly choices of the crown of God's creation. The Father, Son and Spirit ... Elohim ... Purposed eternal love, engaged the purest wisdom, and launched Mercy, Grace and Truth into action. For mankind needed a rescue.
NOW ... Allow me to fast forward with commentary that draws cool flowing refreshment from The healing well of God's Word:
"And in the sixth month the angel Gabriel was sent from God unto a city of Galilee, named Nazareth, To a virgin espoused to a man whose name was Joseph, of the house of David; and the virgin's name as Mary. And the angel came in unto her, and said, "Hail, thou art highly favored, the Lord is with thee: blessed art thou among women." And when she saw him she was troubled at his saying, and cast in her mind what manner of salutation this should be. And the Angel said unto her, " Fear not, Mary: for thou hast found favor with God." "And behold, thou shalt conceive in thy womb, and bring forth a son, and thou shalt call His name JESUS." "He shall be great, and shall be called Son of the Highest: and the Lord God shall give unto Him the throne of his father David." " And He shall reign over the house of Jacob for ever; and of His kingdom there shall be no end". Luke 1:26-33
Imagination time: Years have come and gone, generations have come and then passed with the winds of time. Rebellion is still the way of life for most and the devoted few are all but gone. The Shofar has blown every year, to begin every day, but for the Sabbath, in the month of Elul. The cry of repentance and the desire for forgiveness has been raised to the Highest. But only now at the intersection of the lives of these conquering earthly kingdoms is there an almost oppressive feeling that something is about to happen.
A little one, a virgin ... unseen in her devotion ... has her world turned upside down when a Mighty Heavenly Warrior delivers a message the will cause the ages to pivot in an eternal decision. She chose to be the handmaid of God at the risk of social shunning and possible death. Now all the grace and glory of the ages is packed into a stealthy plan of attack on the kingdom of darkness. And at the time appointed Light will spring on an unsuspecting enemy... this Light will rescue the captives of darkness.
Now...Caesar Augustus... decreed that all the world should be "taxed" ... Pay to play census. Oh the arrogance of worldly kings -- tax "all the world" as if it was his. God uses the arrogance of wickedness to pull the final details of the plans of eternity together ... All the while the earthly leaders are blinded by their own ambitions.
After an approximately 100 miles, 8-10 day journey, "Great with Child", no room in the inn, bedding down in a cave-like stable ... A Star appears, a small baby's cry is heard, Angels announce the event to shepherds ... The shepherd worship ... And the rescue begins in a feed trough and ends up at an empty tomb.
Ages later, although the hype of materialism does a pretty good job of distorting the message of hope, the "Spirit's Song of a Soul Set Free" is unstoppable. Hearts still held at the gate of the spiritual jail cells are waiting to be set free. Jesus is still availing the rescue ... With a small broken prayer to trust Him, Heaven is opened even to the vilest of sinners. Christmas has come.
It is 2017 - and toward the end of our Elul ... forgiveness is available, where will your heart focus for the new year coming?
HLFA,
Jeff
Reference Section for the Studious:
Sixth month - "Elul" - the Shofar is blown on the first day and everyday day after except for the Sabbaths of this month until Rash Hashanah, first day of the following month, beginning of the Jewish New Year. During Elul - Psalm 27 was a focus as well as prayers for forgiveness-- The Shofar (Rams Horn) would blow calling men to "make a noise" Call all to Repentance(August-September time frame). Finding a Tender Heart.
Angel - Messenger one who is sent, envoy - Fit to deliver the seriousness of the message.
Gabriel - Warrior, Man of God - Forged to show strength.
Galilee - Circuit, turning and returning - Following a well worn path.
Nazareth - the guarded one - 100 miles from Bethlehem - Fending off rivals.
Virgin - marriage able, sexually pure woman or man - Found in God's favor.
Joseph - "Let him add" - increase - Fulfilling, submissively, the prophetic increase.
House of David - Dwelling of the Beloved - Following divine promise.
Mary - "their rebellion" - Found faith in the midst of the noise.
Lord - "Kurios" - supreme authority, ruler - Fact of final decision.
Jesus - "Jehovah is Salvation" - Face of God's Grace and Mercy with men.
Son of the Highest - Full eternal connection and privilege as The Son of the Most High God.
Father David - Father of the genetic line of the Beloved.
House of Jacob - the Dwelling of the Supplanter... forcefully opens salvation to all.