photo: Nasa.gov
Revelation gives us another view of Christ’s nativity. No sweet Christmas music here. Instead, think “Jaws,” and then music accompanying a fierce battle scene.
War in Ages Past
“A great sign appeared in heaven: a woman clothed with the sun, and the moon under her feet, and on her head a crown of twelve stars; and she was with child; and she cried out, being in labor and in pain to give birth.
“Then another sign appeared in heaven: and behold, a great red dragon having seven heads and ten horns, and on his heads were seven diadems. And his tail swept away a third of the stars of heaven and threw them to the earth. And the dragon stood before the woman who was about to give birth, so that when she gave birth he might devour her child.
Christmas and Easter
“And she gave birth to a son, a male child, who is to rule all the nations with a rod of iron; and her child was caught up to God and to His throne…
War in the Present
“And there was war in heaven, Michael and his angels waging war with the dragon…And the great dragon was thrown down, the serpent of old who is called the devil and Satan, who deceives the whole world; he was thrown down to the earth, and his angels were thrown down with him…
“And when the dragon saw that he was thrown down to the earth, he persecuted the woman who gave birth to the male child…
“[And] the dragon was enraged with the woman, and went off to make war with the rest of her children, who keep the commandments of God and hold to the testimony of Jesus.” (Revelation 12:1–17)
War!
The battle began in ages past and will continue until the devil and his supporters are thrown into the lake of fire. (Revelation 20:10)
Christmas is a time for gratitude:
“And the Word became flesh, and dwelt among us, and we saw His glory, glory as of the only begotten from the Father, full of grace and truth.” (John 1:14)
God sent His Son to save us from our sins. If we believe in Christ and He whom sent Him, we become children of God (our own nativity!) and have eternal life. (See, for example, John 1:12; John 3:16; John 4:24)
Christmas is also a time to take stock:
We are in a fierce battle.
We are part of Christ’s army (See You’re In Christ’s Army Now).
Let’s stay alert and be faithful.
