Visions at Christmas

The story of Christmas includes many visions. Mary saw an angel who told her she had been chosen by God to be the mother of Jesus. She was a young girl, probably around 14 or 15 years old, a virgin. She was promised to Joseph, but they were not yet married. She feared that when Joseph found out that she was pregnant, he would either have her stoned or, at the very least, divorce her. In that culture, either would have been acceptable. And yes, even though they were not yet married (as we understand marriage), the engagement period was taken so seriously that it would have required a divorce for Joseph to end his relationship with Mary. But in spite of any fear or embarrassment she may have felt, Mary responded to God's vision with submission and willing obedience to Him, in faith.

And in the sixth month the angel Gabriel was sent from God unto a city of Galilee, named Nazareth, to a virgin espoused to a man whose name was Joseph, of the house of David; and the virgin’s name was Mary. And the angel came in unto her and said, “Hail, thou that art highly favored, the Lord is with thee; blessed art thou among women.” And when she saw him, she was troubled at his saying and cast about in her mind what manner of salutation this should be. And the angel said unto her, “Fear not, Mary, for thou hast found favor with God. And behold, thou shalt conceive in thy womb and bring forth a Son, and shalt call His name Jesus. He shall be great and shall be called the Son of the Highest; and the Lord God shall give unto Him the throne of His father David, and He shall reign over the house of Jacob for ever; and of His Kingdom there shall be no end.” Then said Mary unto the angel, “How shall this be, seeing I know not a man?” And the angel answered and said unto her, “The Holy Ghost shall come upon thee, and the power of the Highest shall overshadow thee. Therefore also that Holy Being who shall be born of thee shall be called the Son of God. And behold, thy cousin Elizabeth: she hath also conceived a son in her old age, and this is the sixth month with her, who was called barren. For with God nothing shall be impossible.” And Mary said, “Behold the handmaid of the Lord; be it unto me according to thy word.” And the angel departed from her.  (Luke 1:26-38, 21st Century King James Version)

Joseph also saw an angel. He loved Mary, and when he learned that she was pregnant, he decided to "put her away quietly." He was not planning to bring any more shame to her by publicly divorcing her. But one night, he saw an angel who was sent by God. After the angel told him that God's plan was for him to be the earthly father to God's son, he too responded with submission and willing obedience to Him, in faith.

Now the birth of Jesus Christ was in this way: When His mother Mary was espoused to Joseph, before they came together, she was found with child of the Holy Ghost. And Joseph her husband, being a just man and not willing to make her a public example, was minded to put her away privily. But while he thought on these things, behold, the angel of the Lord appeared unto him in a dream, saying, “Joseph, thou son of David, fear not to take unto thee Mary thy wife, for that which is conceived in her is of the Holy Ghost. And she shall bring forth a Son, and thou shalt call His name Jesus, for He shall save His people from their sins.” Now all this was done, that it might be fulfilled which was spoken of the Lord by the prophet, saying, “Behold, a virgin shall be with child and shall bring forth a Son, and they shall call His name Emmanuel” (which being interpreted is, “God with us”). Then Joseph, being raised from sleep, did as the angel of the Lord had bidden him, and took unto him his wife, and knew her not until she had brought forth her firstborn Son. And he called His name Jesus.  (Matthew 1:18-25, 21st Century King James Version)

The shepherds saw an angel, too.  They were frightened at first, but when the angel told them the good news of the birth of Jesus, they immediately went to find the Baby, they worshipped Him, then told everyone in the area about Him.  They responded quickly to worship Him and to tell about Him, in faith.

And there were in the same country shepherds abiding in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night. And lo, the angel of the Lord came upon them, and the glory of the Lord shone round about them, and they were sore afraid. And the angel said unto them, “Fear not, for behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people. For unto you is born this day in the City of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord. And this shall be a sign unto you: Ye shall find the Babe wrapped in swaddling clothes, lying in a manger.” And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God and saying, “Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men!” And it came to pass, when the angels were gone away from them into heaven, the shepherds said one to another, “Let us now go even unto Bethlehem and see this thing which has come to pass, which the Lord hath made known unto us.” And they came with haste and found Mary and Joseph, and the Babe lying in a manger. And when they had seen it, they made known abroad the saying which was told them concerning this Child.  (Luke 2:8-17, 21st Century King James Version)

Another person who had a vision was a man named Simeon.  God had promised him that he would not die until he had seen the Messiah.  Forty days after Jesus birth, Mary and Joseph travelled to Jerusalem to dedicate Him to God and to offer a sacrifice as prescribed by Jewish law.  While they were there, God fulfilled the promise He had made to Simeon.  Can you imagine his excitement when he saw the infant Jesus, the One the prophets wrote about so long before?  Simeon responded with awe and worship and anticipation, in faith.

 And behold, there was a man in Jerusalem whose name was Simeon, and the same man was just and devout, waiting for the consolation of Israel; and the Holy Ghost was upon him. And it was revealed unto him by the Holy Ghost that he should not see death before he had seen the Lord’s Christ. And he came by the Spirit into the temple; and when the parents brought in the child Jesus to do for Him after the custom of the law, then he took Him up in his arms, and blessed God and said, “Lord, now lettest Thou Thy servant depart in peace, according to Thy word; for mine eyes have seen Thy salvation, which Thou hast prepared before the face of all people, a light to lighten the Gentiles, and the glory of Thy people Israel.” And Joseph and His mother marveled at those things which were spoken of Him. And Simeon blessed them and said unto Mary His mother, “Behold, this Child is set for the fall and rising again of many in Israel, and for a sign which shall be spoken against (yea, a sword shall pierce through thy own soul also), that the thoughts of many hearts may be revealed.” (Luke 2:25-35, 21st Century King James Version)

The wise men also saw a vision.  They were men who studied the stars and had also studied the prophecies of Daniel, Isaiah, Hosea, Micah and all the prophets of Israel.  When they saw a new star in the sky, they knew what it meant.  The star was most likely visible to everyone, but only the magi were looking for it.  Only the magi responded to it.  They did so by making an arduous journey, bringing gifts, and worshipping the Christ Child, in faith.

The kings of Tarshish and of the isles shall bring presents; the kings of Sheba and Seba shall offer gifts.  (Psalm 72:10, 21st Century King James Version)

Now when Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judea in the days of Herod the king, behold, there came wise men from the East to Jerusalem, saying, “Where is He that is born King of the Jews? For we have seen His star in the East and have come to worship Him.”  When they had heard the king, they departed; and lo, the star which they saw in the East went before them until it came and stood over where the young Child was. When they saw the star, they rejoiced with exceeding great joy. And when they had come into the house, they saw the young Child with Mary His mother, and fell down and worshiped Him. And when they had opened their treasures, they presented unto Him gifts: gold and frankincense and myrrh.  (Matthew 2:1-2, 9-11, 21st Century King James Version)

So have you seen a vision?  Are you even looking for a vision?  If not, ask God to open your eyes and your heart to the idea of seeing what He wants you to see.  Remember the wise men.  If they had not been looking, they would not have seen the star.  I never thought I would write a book.  Even after I wrote my book, I had no idea that I would write a blog each week.  But God gave me a vision -- not one that I saw with my eyes, but a vision all the same.  It frightened me at first.  I was reluctant, but in faith, I have tried to be obedient, to the best of my ability.  And God has blessed me as a result.  My prayer for myself and for you this week is taken from Psalm 27, 21st Century King James Version:

The Lord is my light and my salvation; whom shall I fear? The Lord is the strength of my life; of whom shall I be afraid?  One thing have I desired of the Lord; that will I seek after: that I may dwell in the house of the Lord all the days of my life, to behold the beauty of the Lord and to inquire in His temple.  When Thou saidst, “Seek ye My face,” my heart said unto Thee, “Thy face, Lord, will I seek.”  Teach me Thy way, O Lord, and lead me.