Newsletters - Cascade Christian Reformed Church (Marysville, WA)

Christmas interrupts our schedules. Holiday activities hijack regular activities. Counters are cluttered with baking supplies and baked goods. Unwrapped presents are tucked into closets and under beds. Our "downtime" is limited as we get busy with the business of Christmas.

In the middle of this commotion, it is hard to focus on God's Word. I want to hear Christmas carols, but the "Daily Audio Bible" plan has me in Revelation and the minor prophets. We read that God is "very angry with the nations that feel secure" (Zechariah 1:15) and how war breaks out in heaven (Revelation 12:7) and about a dragon trying to devour a baby.

I want to think about peace on earth and goodwill towards men. Today's Proverb, however, is:

The eye that mocks a father,

that scorns an aged mother,

will be pecked out by the ravens of the valley,

will be eaten by the vultures. - Proverbs 30:17

Could the Bible be killing my Christmas spirit?

If "Christmas" is defined by warm family moments and material blessings, then the Bible seems to miss the point. God is almost Grinch-like with His insistence that we stay mindful of His holiness. Topics like wrath and justice should be avoided.

If "Christmas" is really about the birth of Jesus, then these topics are very appropriate for our consideration. After all, the reason God took on flesh was so to redeem humanity. Jesus' death didn't pay off the Devil, forcing Satan to release our souls. Jesus lived, died, and was resurrected to satisfy the wrath of God Himself.

Revelation 12 is especially applicable for the week of Christmas. Many scholars argue that this is a symbolic retelling of the Christmas story. The woman of Revelation 12:1-2 symbolizes either the Church or Mary. As she prepares to give birth, a dragon intrudes, seeking to devour the child. (Rev 12:3-4).

The woman gives birth to a son "who will rule all the nations with an iron scepter." (Rev 12:5). This is Jesus, the King of Heaven and Earth whom God snatched away from King Herod's attempts on His life, from the attempted stoning at Nazareth and other death treats until Jesus finally and willingly gave His life on the cross. The woman and her child flee to the wilderness to a place prepared by God, just like Mary, Joseph and Jesus fled to Egypt.

War breaks out in heaven, and the dragon is hurled down. The song that the heavens echo after the defeat of Satan applies to both Christmas and Easter:

“Now have come the salvation and the power

and the kingdom of our God,

and the authority of his Messiah.

For the accuser of our brothers and sisters,

who accuses them before our God day and night,

has been hurled down.

They triumphed over him

by the blood of the Lamb

and by the word of their testimony;

they did not love their lives so much

as to shrink from death.

Therefore rejoice, you heavens

and you who dwell in them! - Revelation 12:10-12

This Christmas, let's keep trying to push beyond the warm, fuzzy moments and remember why Jesus came in the first place. He didn't take on flesh so that we can hang stockings by the fireplace. He came to defeat Satan, Hell, and Death. He came to triumph over every enemy by His blood and the word of our testimonies.

Let's rejoice in that!

Pastor Tim

Wednesday's Word

The Bible at Christmas

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