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Where the wild things areWednesday, December 23, 2015
Malachi 3:23-24 But just as in the story of Elijah and the priests of Baal, God's fire is hotter than the devil's fire. When there is war like this in heaven, we have one job and only one. Love one another. But how will I learn to love, if not from my mother and my father, or whoever in my life took their place? This is God's job, and he knows his business. "Turn the hearts of the fathers to their children and the hearts of the children to their fathers." Like a heat shield, the love that God teaches us to receive and give protects us in the battle. We stand strong, safe, held up in each other's arms. Nothing weak or wimpy in the manger scene. Weather-beaten shepherds join with the smartest wise men in the world just to worship Jesus. Mary and Joseph can't stop looking at their new baby. The stars are singing. Angels we have heard on high. Fathers turn toward sons, and sons toward their fathers. Son of God, love's pure light. Radiant beams from thy holy face. Brighter than the hottest fire. While outside the dragon roars its terrible roar, and gnashes its terrible teeth. Sleep in heavenly peace. So the darkness, Lord, turns to dawn, and our silent nights refresh with light. Sun shines in our eyes, and we can smile now, live with each other and ourselves, because you are here. Open our eyes so we can see how thoroughly and completely you are here, and here, and here. |
On Sunday Jeff reminded us that the birth of Jesus not only stirs up goodness, but it also stirs up evil. The great red dragon described in the twelfth chapter of Revelation belongs in the nativity scene, even if it's almost never shown. The dragon towers above the stable and its fiery breath threatens to send the whole thing up in flames. Satan wants to kill Jesus in the worst way, before this newborn baby ever takes its second breath.