An angel of the Lord
appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were
terrified (Luke 2:9).
Why precisely, were the shepherds in the Christmas story
terrified?
Was it because they had never before seen heavenly
messengers? Or heard an angelic choir?
Or witnessed such a spectacular light show?
Whatever, their reaction was one of shock and awe…and raw terror!
It gets me to wondering about us.
I wonder if our culture has lost its ability to
understand holy terror. That which is secular is considered sacred. That which
is profane is revered. That which is clearly sinful and dark is held up as
enlightened and progressive.
And the holy things of God are rarely treated with
reverence. Or fear.
But it won’t always be that way.
Joy to the World is the most-published Christmas carol in North America. But when Isaac Watts penned the words almost 300 years ago, it wasn’t even intended for Christmas.
He was writing poetry to correspond to his understanding
of themes in the Psalms, and this poem was to reflect some of what he read in
Psalm 98. He was also envisioning the world of the Kingdom of God with Christ
as its Cosmic King.
Near the end of the Revelation, the apostle John speaks
of similar themes.
But rather than images of joy and serenity as “earth receives her King” and “ heaven and nature sings”, John witnesses a much more violent scene of divine judgement, wrath against human rebellion, and the conquering of every foe by Christus
Victor.
I saw heaven
standing open and there before me was a white horse, whose rider is called
Faithful and True. With justice he judges and wages war. His eyes are like
blazing fire, and on his head are many crowns. He has a name written on him
that no one knows but he himself. He is dressed in a robe dipped in blood, and
his name is the Word of God. The armies of heaven were following him, riding on
white horses and dressed in fine linen, white and clean. Coming out of his
mouth is a sharp sword with which to strike down the nations. "He will
rule them with an iron scepter." He treads the winepress of the fury of
the wrath of God Almighty. On his robe and on his thigh he has this name
written: KING OF KINGS AND LORD OF LORDS (Revelation 19:11-16).
The prediction provides a vivid contrast to this season’s ubiquitous image of the gentle, unthreatening Baby in the manger.
But there is clearly coming a day, when deep reverence
and profound respect will be demanded, and will be expressed.
Takeaway: Is my
understanding of Who Christ is sufficiently reverent?
Do I understand holy fear?
Can my understanding of biblical truth reconcile the Christmas story with the image of the Conquering Christ as the Captain of the Lord’s armies, the Rider on the white horse?
Christmas celebrates the birth of Christus Victor.
~this post last appeared in 2017
