The twelfth chapter of Revelation tells a sort of Christmas story. The woman in this story is Israel. Israel (crowned by 12 stars symbolizing the 12 tribes) gives birth to Jesus, a child who will rule the nations. Notice the war coming from the devil, pictured as a dragon in John’s vision. This is aContinue reading “The Christmas Story from a Parallel Universe. Revelation 12: 1-9”
Category Archives: Incarnation/Christmas
“GRIPPED BY GREAT FEAR.” Luke 8:37.
When you read the Gospels, it’s easy to envy those who knew Jesus on earth. How amazing to sit with Him at the Last Supper, or pray with Him in the garden? Or to pass out miracle-food to 5,000 people? Or see Lazarus come out of the grave? But it was not all sunshine andContinue reading ““GRIPPED BY GREAT FEAR.” Luke 8:37.”
God’s Plans are Never Predictable. Matthew 4:1-11.
Think of the string of surprises in store for Mary and Joseph: 1. An angel tells Mary she will have a virgin birth. 2. An angel tells Joseph the same. 3. Mary’s aunt prophecies over her, saying, among other things, that her child (John) jumped when she heard the voice of Mary. 4. Mary isContinue reading “God’s Plans are Never Predictable. Matthew 4:1-11.”
HE GETS IT. HE GETS YOU. Matthew 3:13-17; Hebrews 4:15-16.
In 1995, Joan Osborne sang ONE OF US, a song that asks, “What if God was one of us? Just a slob like one of us? What if God was one of us? Just a stranger on the bus, Trying to make his way home?” Were I a record producer I would have said, “Sorry.Continue reading “HE GETS IT. HE GETS YOU. Matthew 3:13-17; Hebrews 4:15-16.”
WHAT’S THIS STAR BUSINESS? Matthew 2:2; Genesis 1:14.
Men from the East showed up asking for directions. “Where is He who was born King of the Jews? For we have seen HIS STAR in the East and have come to worship Him?” Matthew 2:2. “His Star?” Jesus had a star? Did anyone else in the Bible have a star? What is going on?Continue reading “WHAT’S THIS STAR BUSINESS? Matthew 2:2; Genesis 1:14.”
HOW SHOULD A KING COME? Zechariah 9:9.
One of my all-time favorite stories of the Incarnation–of Christmas–is the song “How Should a King Come?” by Jimmy and Carol Owens. Read it as a poem. It clearly lays out the contrast between how most kings would want to enter a city, and how the KING OF KINGS entered. He could not have made aContinue reading “HOW SHOULD A KING COME? Zechariah 9:9.”
Household Words: 