There is a divine mystery—a secret surprise that has been concealed from the world for generations, but now it’s being revealed, unfolded and manifested for every holy believer to experience. Living within you is the Christ who floods you with the expectation of glory! This mystery of Christ, embedded within us, becomes a heavenly treasure chest of hope filled with the riches of glory for his people, and God wants everyone to know it! — Colossians 1:26-27 (TPT)
As I write this, I’m deeply aware that few, if any of us, have escaped the unprecedented winds of adversity that have blown across the globe these past twelve months and in some ways the thought of Christmas could seem a bit out-of-place. Yet it was into the turbulent context of Jewish revolt and civil war under growing Roman oppression that Jesus was born. On a cold, Middle Eastern night over two thousand years ago, a heavily pregnant Mary with her husband Joseph journeyed over one-hundred miles to Bethlehem – not by choice but by decree of Caesar Augustus to garner taxes from his subjects. But despite the trouble and uncertainties of the time, divine purpose was quietly at play. Fulfilling centuries old prophecy, Jesus was born in a stable in Bethlehem.
“Glory to God in the highest, And on earth peace, goodwill toward men!”
Christmas began with a declaration of God’s glory, His goodness, and the beauty of His Spirit embodied in the Anointed Jesus. That’s why the angels couldn’t contain their joy as songs of glory to God rang out that holy night with good news for all mankind! Heaven and earth are filled with His glory, and His goodness and desire for personal relationship with humanity is clearly seen in the gift of His Son.
When Jesus said, “If you’ve seen Me, you’ve seen the Father” He revealed a mystery; the unveiling of glory – a glory since imparted to His Church by the Holy Spirit. Paul spoke of an “expectation of glory… a heavenly treasure chest of hope”, pointing to this divine purpose.
That’s why I don’t think there’s any comparison between the present hard times and the coming good times. The created world itself can hardly wait for what’s coming next. Everything in creation is being more or less held back. God reins it in until both creation and all the creatures are ready and can be released at the same moment into the glorious times ahead. Meanwhile, the joyful anticipation deepens. — Romans 8:19-21 (MSG)
A divine mystery is at play; spoken of by the prophets, heralded by Christ’s birth and eagerly anticipated by a great cloud of witnesses. This long-awaited mystery is Christ in YOU, the hope of glory! A treasure chest of hope filled with the riches of glory is within you and God wants everyone to know it! His glory now dwells in His Body – the Church – temples of His Spirit, transforming from one degree of glory to another; vessels of His goodness, His beauty, and His gift to the world.
With an expectation of glory, this Christmas I encourage you to look heavenward where your citizenship abides. I pray the hope of glory will shine ever brighter in and through you as together we see the day approaching.
The path of the just (righteous) is like the light of dawn, that shines brighter and brighter until [it reaches its full strength and glory in] the perfect day. — Prov 4:18 (AMP)
Have a wonderful Christmas.
With love,
Brian
22 дек 2019
