advent day twenty-two

Something important appeared in the sky. It was a woman whose clothes were the sun. The moon was under her feet, and a crown made of twelve stars was on her head. She was about to give birth, and she was crying because of the great pain. Something else

appeared in the sky. It was a huge red dragon with seven heads and ten horns, and a crown on each of its seven heads. With its tail, it dragged a third of the stars from the sky and threw them down to the earth. Then the dragon turned towards the woman, because it wanted to eat her child as soon as it was born.

Revelation 12 :1-4

A cosmic Christmas

If we are becoming tired of images of a stable in Bethlehem, with an infant in a manger, then look with John to this vision of Christmas. The woman in childbirth is there– but she is more than Mary here, she is adorned with the signs of Israel, she is the community of faith, God’s people on earth. And at her side crouches not the comforting figures of a donkey, the adoring shepherds or Joseph supporting her– but a dragon. A great red dragon whose appearance and actions are described in a way to leave no doubt as to its character and intentions. The birth of this child represented a huge threat, and the dragon is waiting there to ensure he never even takes his first breath.

This is heaven’s perspective on Christmas. An event of huge spiritual significance– much more so than was grasped on earth at the time, and more than is grasped by many of those who blithely celebrate this holiday today.

Take time today to praise God that the child was born safely, that he did survive and that the dragon was defeated.

Our God has shown his saving power, and his kingdom has come!

God’s own chosen one has shown his authority.

Satan accuse our people in the presence of God day and night.

Now he has been thrown out!

Our people defeated Satan because of the blood of the Lamb and the message of God.

Revelation 12: 10-11

Jesus is Lord!