God Is There

For to us a child is born, to us a son is given, and the government will be on his shoulders. And he will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.   Isaiah 9:6 (NIV)

Dads don’t miss the birth of their sons! Not if they can help it. Usually they are pacing the halls of the hospital anxiously awaiting the moment of arrival. No matter how busy your schedule when it is time you drop everything and get to the hospital.

I have heard the story of Christ’s birth hundreds of times and love to think about the details on that night. The Shepherds watching their flocks, most likely these were temple sheep that were used for sacrifices. The wonder of that thought as those that were charged with watching and raising the sacrificial lambs were informed that “the Lamb of God that takes away the sins of the world” was born.

I love to imagine what Mary thought as she held her son there in the manger. Knowing that the angel had told her of this special birth what was she thinking? The Bible tells us that she “hid all these things in her heart”. Did she realize the magnitude of what was happening around her?

But in all the plays and songs there is a small detail that we often overlook. Where was God the Father? Let me turn your attention to the field where the shepherds were tending their flock.

“An angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified. 10 But the angel said to them, "Do not be afraid. I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people. 11 Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is Christ the Lord. 12 This will be a sign to you: You will find a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger." 13 Suddenly a great company of the heavenly host appeared with the angel, praising God and saying, 14 "Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace to men on whom his favor rests." Luke 2:9-14 (NIV)

In verse 9 it says “the glory of the Lord shone around them”. Who is Luke talking about? The “them” in the passage are the shepherds. It seems we always put the glory of the Lord shining around the angels but reading that passage carefully reveals something. The Father was there in the midst of them! He wasn’t busy in Heaven on the day of Christ’s birth. He hadn’t sent a messenger to tell the Good News. He was there! The Shekinah glory of God radiates from His presence. It isn’t upon angels or shepherds. We see that glory only when God is present.

There in the field God was actively participating in the events unfolding. In the midst of the crowded city where people were gathering to pay their taxes (always a happy time – not), God was there. In the pain of the labor that Mary was going through, God was there. In the scandal that Joseph and Mary had endured because of their highly unlikely story of a “virgin birth”, God was there. Even though no one had heard from Him in 400 years, God was there. On that Holy Night as the angels were proclaiming, “Glory to God in the highest…” they were the supporting cast. God was there! His plan to redeem fallen man was unfolding in Bethlehem that night and the angels were His back up singers.

We all have those moments, those times when the crescendo of our troubles seems to overwhelm us. Don’t miss that little detail that tells you, God is there. He may be speaking through a friend, a pastor, or even a blog post but we can rest assured that God hasn’t abandoned us. He is not too busy to be there. We just have to listen and look for Him.

Prince of Peace

For to us a child is born, to us a son is given, and the government will be on his shoulders. And he will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.  Isaiah 9:6 (NIV)

They were just a group of shepherds watching their sheep that night when suddenly an angel appeared and the glory of the Lord shined all around them. Of course, their first reaction was fear. They had never seen an angel or heard from God before. No one had for four hundred years. God had stopped talking to His people and had sent no word through angels or prophets. They had not heard from God, their Dads had not heard from God, or their Granddads. Then suddenly in the quiet of the night with their thoughts consumed with the job they were doing or the taxes that were being paid to their Roman oppressors an angel appears. It broke the silence like a trumpet as he told them the good news. A Savior was born!

Isn’t that how God comes to us? We don’t get advance warning. He just appears in the chaos of our lives and speaks. It is no wonder that we are warned to be careful lest we entertain angels unaware.

Upon the announcement of Christ’s birth Luke records that a multitude of angels appeared saying,

“Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men.”

This wasn’t a song it was a proclamation. The birth of Christ was for the glory of God and designed to show his good will toward men. The enmity between God and man was shattered by the gift of God. There had been four hundred years of separation because of sin. Man had not been able to live righteous by following his conscious or by following the law. The sinful nature of man blinded him to the heart of God and kept him from fellowship with a holy God. Then bursting forth in triumphant glory the cry of God is heard in a manger. The Savior which is Christ the Lord is born, breaking down the wall of enmity between God and man.

The peace announced by the Angel Host was not a product of man’s wisdom or strength but was conceived in the heart of God and carried by the Holy Spirit. Throughout the ages of man the hand of God ordered history and called forth every element of the plan. Satan tried to defeat it. Man tried to ignore it. And when the time had fully come God’s Chosen people rejected it. The plan to redeem man was not with armies or swords. Heavens Host had not come to defeat the Roman captors but instead The King had sent His Son. Born not in a palace with fine linens but in a manger wrapped in swaddling clothes the Prince of Peace came not just to show us the way. Not just to teach us the way. The Young Prince would become The Way to God.

His name would be called Emmanuel meaning God with us. There is no ladder to climb to heaven. Jesus came down to sinful man and offered Himself so that we might have fellowship with the Father. Christ has finished the work!

Born that day in a manger was the Prince of Peace. He has become the King of Kings and Lord of Lords. Some might question why there is still war and strife on this earth if Jesus brought peace. His Kingdom lives today in the hearts of men and women who believe! I have witnessed the peace that Jesus brings to those that will receive His gift thru faith. In the midst of the greatest trials of our lives Jesus still calms the storm and brings peace.