Advent Gem #1
By Rev. Lonnie C. Crowe
The
incarnation of the Son of God is more than a story to be remembered each year
in December. It is an epic that began before the foundation of the
world, progressed through the Garden of Eden and will culminate in the Marriage
Supper of the Lamb. Tradition has so romanticized, so fantasized, so
embellished the story that we have overlooked chapter one, made chapter two
unrecognizable, and ignored chapter three.
The Encarta
Dictionary defines epic as “a long series of events characterized by
adventures or struggle; impressive by virtue of greatness of size, scope or
heroism”. The Christmas story is chapter two of God’s epic plan for
the redemption of His creation. Nothing is more empowering in our
lives than the fact that the Son of God Who spoke all creation into existence
became Emmanuel, God with us.
I
love all the lights, music, and joy of the Christmas season. Yet, I
don’t want to neglect the deeper significance. Let’s move past the
mythology and into the truth; past the tradition and into the revelation; past
the pretty devices of man and into the power of the
incarnation. Because much of church tradition has denied the
historical Jewish roots of Christianity, our interpretation of Scripture has
often come from a European mindset rather than a Hebrew mindset. In
bringing back a more Hebrew perspective, we uncover truths that for many have
been hidden in the ages. Let’s lay aside the little drummer boy, the
animals that spoke at midnight, and Amahl and the night visitors.
We
hear many, even some Christians, denying the virgin birth of Jesus and
declaring that He was the biological son of Joseph the carpenter of Nazareth.
Do you know that if Joseph were the biological father of Jesus, that Jesus
could not be the Messiah? A careful reading of the genealogy in the
first chapter of Matthew shows that one of Joseph’s ancestors was Jeconiah (vs.
8). Jeconiah was also called Coniah. Because Jeconiah was
an evil king, the prophet Jeremiah pronounced a curse on him saying that none
of his descendants would sit on the throne of David. (Jeremiah
22:24-28.)
Because
the Messiah of Israel will sit on the throne of His ancestor David, no
descendent of Jeconiah could be the Messiah. Joseph believed the
angel who said that Mary had been impregnated by the Spirit of God. (Matthew
1:18-25.) Joseph believed and, therefore, we can believe.
Even
though we know He was not born on that day, we celebrate the birthday of our
Lord on December 25th. I have no problem with the day of
the celebration because we do not know the actual date of His
birth. However, we should understand that He was most likely born
during the season of either the Passover or Feast of Tabernacles when most Jews
traveled to Jerusalem to bring their offerings and worship at the
Temple. One of those days would be a likely time to register for a
census.
When
we understand that God has times and seasons and that He doesn’t operate on a
Roman calendar, we might be more hesitant in setting timetables for past events
and for the future fulfillment of prophecy.
Christmas
is a time for adoring the Christ Child in the manger. It is also a
time to adore the soon and coming King.
Revelation 19:11-16 (NKJV):Now I saw heaven opened, and
behold, a white horse. And He who sat on him was called Faithful and
True, and in righteousness He judges and makes war.His eyes were like
a flame of fire, and on His head were many crowns. He had a name
written that no one knew except Himself. He was clothed with a robe
dipped in blood, and His name is called The Word of God. And the armies in
heaven, clothed in fine linen, white and clean, followed Him on white horses.
1Now out of His mouth goes a sharp sword, that with it He should
strike the nations. And He Himself will rule them with a rod of iron. He
Himself treads the winepress of the fierceness and wrath of Almighty God.
And He has on His robe and on His thigh a name written: KING OF
KINGS AND LORD OF LORDS.
“Joy to the world. The Lord has come!!” Let’s
celebrate in spirit and in truth.
