Regional Synod of Canada - Reformed Church in America

Pioneer Christian Monthly

Date - Dec/90

Contributor - Rev. Henry VanEssen

Title - Break-In

Topic - Christmas

These days even national newscasters try their hands at cracking jokes. Here is a historical attempt of a few years ago to present the Christmas news "today" at the end of a news cast: "And finally there is the report that some herdsmen watching over their flocks by night near Bethlehem in Israel saw some extra-terrestrial beings who spoke with them informing them that the Saviour of the world was born in a stable. These beings then allegedly filled the night sky with pure light and with heavenly music. However, no one else could be found to corroborate their story. It is thought possible that a nightmare may have affected the sheep .. . Good evening."

So the scene is set for the happening on the fields around Bethlehem: there are the skeptical and scientific minds of the reporters. Then there are the people who firmly believe in U ' F.O.'s. Next there are those who get high on drugs, and who have seen and heard something marvellous like the angels. Again others would say those shepherds had a vision created by the intense desires of their inner selves. Or some may think that this has been a demonstration of "the Force." Finally there is the Word of God which declares very simply that we people do not see all there is to see; that we are blind practically all the time, with our eyes wide open.

Here we must read a few verses from 11 Kings 6:15-19. The servant of Elisha, the prophet, woke up one morning to see the city of Dothan surrounded by enemy troops wanting to get his master. He considered it to be ball-game over for his master and himself. But Elisha said to him, "Fear not, for those who are with us are more than those who are with them." Then Elisha prayed and said, 'O Lord, I pray thee, open his eyes that he may see.' So the Lord opened the eyes of the young man and he saw. And behold, the mountain was full of horses and chariots of fire round about Elisha." (11 Kings 6:16, 17) The army of the Lord had been there all along, but the young man never saw it.

Angels are messengers who fulfil the Lord's command. They also serve Him here on earth. The Lord is at work among us all the time. But when do we see Him and His angels?

The shepherds saw the angel bathed in heavenly light and they saw the heavenly host. Their eyes were opened for the Lord God's break-in into our space. Their eyes were touched so that they saw from our space, into God's space - from earth into heaven. And the glory of the Lord shone round about them. What we need, to see God's break-in - which we call Christmas - are eyes that see more than our microscopes and our telescopes show us. For microscopes and telescopes do not catch the rays of God's glory. God's glory is light, unapproachable light, not light from the sun or the stars, not light which can be created, but different light which penetrates every human who is touched by it in such a way that fear comes upon them. For the glory of God exposes us in our sin and guilt. When God's glory shines upon us we know that we are dead. That is why in the Bible all the people upon whom God's glory shines, fall to the ground. Thus the shepherds fell down when the angel appeared.

The last book in the Bible tells us that around the throne of the Lord God there are myriads and myriads of angels, which means ten thousands times ten thousands, all falling on their face and worshipping God with a loud voice saying, "Amen! Blessing and glory and wisdom and thanksgiving and honour and power and might be to our God for ever and ever! Amen." (Rev. 7:11) The book of Hebrews 12:22 talks of innumerable angels in festal gathering. When the shepherds saw and heard the multitude of the heavenly host they witnessed the millions of angels who ascribe glory and honour to God Almighty. A few humans on earth, got a glimpse of the heavenly glory of their Creator.

From there the shepherds went to the stable of the inn to see the Saviour. They did not need any convincing. When they saw the baby swaddled in strips of cloth they knew that this was the Saviour because the scene in the stable was exactly as they had been told by the angel. Later on John would write, "And we beheld His glory, glory as of the only Son from the Father." John 1:14). When did John and the others behold the glory of the Son of God? When the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, full of grace and truth. However, there were many who did not see.

When God's glory broke in and the shepherds were scared to death, God's peace also broke in: "Fear not, for behold I bring you good news of a great joy, which will come to all the people." (Luke 2:10) The joy of the shepherds spilled over into the streets of Bethlehem. For the shepherds returned to their flocks glorifying and praising God for all they had heard and seen, as it had been told them. Their fear was gone. In the same way such joy comes to Simeon in the temple, and to Anna, the prophetess, to the wise men from the east, and later to all who truly meet the Lord Jesus Christ unto this day. Those who meet Him as the Son of God their Saviour receive peace, and a new relationship between the Lord God and themselves. Since they are now at peace with Him they can be at peace with themselves and with others. Life begins to be different. That is the continuation of Christmas today - God's break-in of reconciliation in Jesus Christ.

Who cannot relate to the young servant of the prophet Elisha, who saw the horses and chariots of the Syrian army all around that little city, and who figured that it was game-over? Today we see ourselves often surrounded then by this threat, then by that disaster. It seems as if there is no end to the things that can go wrong and we think, "How shall we ever get out of this?" Psalm 121:1, 2 reminds us, "I lift my eyes to the hills. From whence does my help come? My help comes from the Lord who made heaven and earth." Oh, to know that our world is not all there is, to know that there is also God's space covering our space, the holy City, where His peace is in glory and where the multitudes of the heavenly host still sing His praises; where they now sing the victory of the Lord Jesus Christ over our sin and death on the Cross of Golgotha; where they praise God's grace to a world that seeks its own agenda; where millions of believers are already gathered before the throne. To know that we can have peace with God through the crucified and risen Christ-child and thus peace in this life; to know that all around us are God's servants, His angels; that those who are with us are more than those who are against us; yes, that He who is in us is greater than the evil one who is in the world! To know that God has broken into our space and brought His peace and joy to be received by all who receive Him in His crucified and risen Son Jesus Christ. That is to know Christmas. That is to rejoice. That is to join the angels as they sing, "Gloria, Hallelujah!" to the Lord and to the Lamb upon the throne. Blessed Christmas. God grant us open eyes to see His break-in always!

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