Each year the Torres Strait Islanders celebrate ‘The Coming of the Light.’ It is a time to remember the missionaries who came to their islands with the Gospel of Jesus Christ. It is a very colourful festival.
It reminds me of John 1:5: The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it. Of course this is John’s unique way of presenting the Christmas event to his readers. The allusion of Light and Darkness in relation to Christmas points to a conflict and one which hasn’t ceased—yet!
Christmas is Heaven’s invasion of our world. It is God’s counter–attack upon the realm of darkness and treachery initiated by Satan through Adam (Genesis 3). This time we as Christians hold precious meanings more than merely about a babe in a manger. It is Emmanuel coming in a body prepared to do battle in human flesh as the Light of the World.
When babies are born there is or was a saying such as ‘he is born with a silver spoon (or wooden spoon) in his mouth.’ When you read Micah 5: 1-2 it is apparent Jesus was born with neither. Rather He was born with a sword in His mouth. As Hebrews 4:12 points out the word of God is sharper than any two-edged sword. Revelation 19:15 speaks about its conquering purpose. Jesus is the Word of God. When He spoke His words cut to the heart.
There can be no wondering why the powers of darkness try and distort, discredit, deny or degrade the Christmas event. Our celebration is their lamentation. Since Bethlehem’s birthday event Darkness and Light are in a constant battle for supremacy.
The battle of Christmas peaked at Calvary. It was actually won in the resurrection. It will be completed when the Lord returns. Our Lord Jesus is the Warrior Lord of Christmas. He calls us to join His ranks and be part of His Light brigade living out, speaking/writing/pointing out His word and work. We can enjoy all the associated delights of our culture and its expression of Christmas, but, be aware you are Christ’s reflective lights in a dark world. We celebrate our Warrior Lord and His victories in our lives and look forward to the ones yet to come.
God bless you this Christmas.
Ray Hawkins has a Christmas devotional published by Even Before Publishing called ‘Bethlehem’s Warrior Baby.’
It is a 31-day biblical meditation on aspects of Christmas as written in the Scriptures. It is also available as an Ebook.
Visit Ray's blog or e-mail him.
Thanks for this unusual slant to the Christmas story, Ray!
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