“‘And this will be a sign for you: you will find a baby wrapped in swaddling cloths and lying in a manger.’ And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God…” (Luke 2:12–13)
Before Christ entered this world bringing fullness of meaning and purpose to man, the words of harbingers of long-gone ages echoed across the eons with resounding voices to proclaim not a simple birth, but the birth of a king, not a simple king, but the King of all Kings. These powerful portents spoke of the King of Kings as if His coming were certain and fixed. They pined for His coming, and in their longing issued God’s messianic message in specific detail.
So specific were the details that men of wisdom from the east and outside the sheepfold of Israel could see the signs of His coming, follow His star and sojourn from afar to within a few short miles of where the baby Jesus was ready to receive their gifts. So exact were their coordinates that the previously unknown characters of Simeon and Anne could see the signs and go daily to the Temple to wait for the child-King. Each of these, when met by the King, proclaimed His glory and the wonder of God’s plan for man.
Since the time of man’s fall from that splendor and majesty of the Garden home following the advent of His creative wonder, God sought to restore that glory and man’s righteousness. The means would be His Son. The method would be sacrifice. First in shadow by the words of prophets, but then in substance beginning at His birth, the child-King would save His people by offering Himself for the whole of humanity.
Men whose ears were tuned to God could hear it come, could read it in the prophet’s word and wait. When He arrived, it was as if the final cog had fallen in place in the well-worn but forgotten spiritual mechanism of God. As the wheels began to turn and men like the shepherds in the field near Bethlehem slowly made connections, understanding would come slowly, unearthing God’s vision from the dry ground of spiritual neglect. Understanding would bring great joy, singing and celebration. A Savior was born, and as promised, He would bring peace, hope and joy.
For ages, God was at work and placed the road map of that work in the Scriptures. As we begin our journey toward understanding the reason for all seasons, let us be diligent in searching the Scriptures so that we, like Anna, Simeon and the wise men, can find ourselves in the King’s presence with thanksgiving and joy in our hearts.
[Editor’s Note: Personally, I found brother Benesh’s article uplifting and encouraging. His article above was very well composed, as well as stands as a testimony that writings do not need to be lengthy to enrich and to encourage the reader. ~ Louis Rushmore]
