Tuesday, December 10, 2013

The Empowering Epic of the Birth of Jesus—Part 2

The Empowering Epic of the Birth of Jesus—Part  2
By Rev. Lonnie C. Crowe

            Luke 2:1-14 (NKJV)
      “And it came to pass in those days that a decree went out from Caesar Augustus that all the world should be registered. This census first took place while Quirinius was governing Syria. So all went to be registered, everyone to his own city. Joseph also went up from Galilee, out of the city of Nazareth, into Judea, to the city of David, which is called Bethlehem, because he was of the house and lineage of David, to be registered with Mary, his betrothed wife, who was with child.
“So it was, that while they were there, the days were completed for her to be delivered. And she brought forth her firstborn Son, and wrapped Him in swaddling cloths, and laid Him in a manger, because there was no room for them in the inn. Now there were in the same country shepherds living out in the fields, keeping watch over their flock by night. And behold, an angel of the Lord stood before them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were greatly afraid.
“Then the angel said to them, "Do not be afraid, for behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy which will be to all people.  For there is born to you this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord. And this will be the sign to you: You will find a Babe wrapped in swaddling cloths, lying in a manger." And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God and saying:  "Glory to God in the highest, And on earth peace, goodwill toward men!" 

Remember that an epic is “a long series of events characterized by adventures or struggle; impressive by virtue of greatness of size, scope or heroism”.  The epic birth of our Savior came at a time when the world was struggling under the oppression of the Roman Empire.  Christ's birth and later sacrifice make it possible for us to overcome in the ongoing spiritual struggle.  We are engaged in an epic battle. The enemy of our souls has fought through the ages to prevent our victory.   

Warfare in the heavenlies was taking place the night Jesus was born.  God sent a multitude of the heavenly host to protect the Child and to declare the purpose of God in the incarnation, that in Jesus Christ, we have peace and good will.

The angels who declared the glory of God to the shepherds were not a choir of lovely females with halos and harps.  They were the heavenly host, the army of God poised in strength, power and authority.  Throughout scripture, the host of angels refers to the mighty army of God.  The Hebrew word used is “Sabaoth” and refers to a large army.  Most descriptions of angels in the Bible describe them in military terms, such as encampment (Gen.32:1-2), command structure (Ps.91:11-12; Matt.13:41; Rev.7:2), and combat (Jdg.5:20; Job 19:12; Rev.12:7).

      Today, we seldom see angels pictured as the army of God. We have hidden the epic, heroic force of heaven under the cloak of the Celtic fairyland.  Most of our modern depictions of angels are taken from fairy stories and not from the Word of God.  Cinderella had a fairy godmother.  God has an angelic army greater than all the forces of hell, and that army stood guard over the birth of His son. Today, His army stands guard over the Church, the body of Christ.  Because of that protection, we can declare with the angels, "Glory to God in the highest, And on earth peace, goodwill toward men!"

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