We are in our Christmas series, in which the aim is to go behind the traditional narrative, that which is repeated year after year. 2 years ago I published Christmas Parrallels, which is on the Store and you can acquire it there, and many years I have repeated the same exercise and coming up with marvellous insights. This enriches the Christmas season.
The Christmas story in history is full of obscure people who were selected by God to participate in the Coming of the Messiah, the Word that became flesh. It is around these people, this process, that we dress up this series. God did not select kings, nor priests, to be the most involved in this coming. This is because we have to understand this Coming of the Messiah. The Messiah was to execute a mission which would confound those who had misunderstood His coming, they had embellished this idea with a political figure.
Behold I do a new thing
It is no doubt that sensitive people around the time of the occupation of the Romans, knew something was in the air. My favourite character in this story is Anna in the Temple, who spent 84 years in the Temple preparing with prayers and fastings. It is said that this pursuit came on the back of personal tragedy. She lost her husband and it is noted that this marriage was a love marriage, and no doubt is spared with the tragic loss this was, losing the source of companionship and of also income. Yet she looked through this personal tragedy to understand that despite the unjust way this happened, there was a purpose to understand. She perceived a Vocation to prayer. And despite the instability around her she carried on regardless. What we sometimes fail to connect is two great factors and changes that happened within these 84 years. The first was the Roman invasion and occupation, and the institution of an empire. The other was Herod the Great, a King imposed on the Jews by Rome, maybe to stabilise a very volatile region. He began to demolish the Temple in stages, and rebuilding it. The Bible is very silent about this. The reason maybe is that this development had no direct divine mandate. So whilst the prayers of Anna continued, so did works of embellishing and remodelling. It seems that if the Lord is silent on this rebuilding, is because God was about to bring His 2nd Elijah and the Messiah.
Within all this it takes a person that perceives God is doing a new thing, and these changes are part of this process. The perception resides on whether God is revealing or not. For some they see these changes as political and need to be engaged on that level. For Anna, as well as Simeon, a concept crystalised in them as they sought God, it was “The Consolation of Israel”, they saw that the restoration had run out of steam, and what was a return to the Word, now had become a rigid adherence to rules and ordinances. Anna and Simeon knew instinctively that this was not what God was preparing His people for. They saw something greater, even beyond the boundaries of the sons of Abraham, but that the Gentiles would see this light and would respond. And whilst it is verified through Gamaliel in Acts, that many so called Messiahs had come promising revolution and renewed glory, only to be crushed by the occupation. Simeon and Anna recognised as whilst this idea of a Son of David, who would come to bring new life and salvation, they knew that their commitment to prayer was needed to prepare them and many in Jerusalem who also had this hope to stand in prayer and waiting, and the wait was many decades. The sign being a spiritual awakening.
“We saw His Star in the East”
Matthew recounts the journey of the Magi in the East. We can also make the connection with Daniel and the company of wise men in the Palace of the Persian kings here. It is obvious that Daniel influenced the men of the day to seek a higher wisdom. It is the influence of Daniel in the palace that influences the “stirring of spirit” that Ezra 1 tells us. So it is logical despite the changes in Persia, the Greek influence there, that was to come after Persia declined in power. So coming to these Magi, they recognised through the great star that appeared in the heavens that this star was announcing something, then they knew that this star belonged to a king, and it was a birth that they perceived. For this reason their phraseology that this was “His Star”. They decided to follow this star as there was something supernatural about it. It moved West as they journeyed. And they also knew that their journey was very special for they knew it would culminate in seeing the King. Such was their conviction that they were determined to make this large distance. We know that they became acquainted with Scripture when the Scribes in Jerusalem told them where the Messiah would be born. For the Magi, “His Star” meant the time was now, and they would go to where He was indicated to be born. They are rewarded as the Star stood over the birthplace. God had led them all the way.
And LO, the angel of the Lord came upon them, and the glory of the Lord shone around
For the shepherds the angels are included in the divine invitation, with glory. The ordinary night is filled with light and celebration. Imagine the songs of adoration they must have heard. They are told the Good News, and rush to Bethlehem and see the Messiah. The sign here is Angels, and Glory.
The signs are different for each Participant
The signs are different for each one, it is for each to discern and respond. And this message is for us. This Christmas to disclocate ourselves from the secular way of celebrating Christmas for there are signs God may be showing you so that you enter into the Divine Participation.
As you may note there are evidences of Christ in each:
Anna: Intercessor
Simeon: Prophet
Magi: King
Shepherds: Pastor
In each participant there is a logical reason for their inclusion. May our inclusion reflect Christ in this season. Christmas is about total change, a new way God manifests in His People, bringing a new hope and joy. The key is recognise the signs in the preparation!!!
Maranatha! Come Lord Jesus.
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