The Spirit of Christmas Future

Ebenezer Scrooge fell asleep and was awakened by three spirits in the classic Dickens' tale, A Christmas Carol.  When I think of this, I am reminded that the real story of Christmas has an impact on the past, the present and the future.  For the story, the impact of the future was still negotiable, and Scrooge asked if he could change.  For the real Christmas story however, the impact of the past is real, the impact on our present is real, and the impact on the future is just as real. 

We think of the past of Christmas often as we reflect on baby Jesus laying in a manger, surrounded by Joseph, Mary, likely a few animals (although this is simply assumed) and a few moments later the Shepherds arriving.  We think on the humility of this event and are often astounded.  Every time I drive by a nativity scene I am reminded of Christmas past - an event that really happened and shaped the course of history.

We also can find ourselves focusing on Christmas present.  Not the gifts and wrapping, although these often do consume much of our focus, but on the impact that Christ coming has in the here and now.  I have salvation because Christ was born, I have life because Christ was born, I have the Spirit of God and the Word of God all because Christ was born.  These are glorious truths both past and present, but they do not present the complete picture of the Christmas story.

This is why I think the book of Revelation contains the narrative of the birth of Christ.  In Revelation 12 we are reminded that "And she gave birth to a son, a male child, who is to rule all the nations with a rod of iron; and her child was caught up to God and to His throne." (Revelation 12:5, NASB)  This is a part of the larger context of the battle between God and Satan, between ultimate good and everything that opposes good.  The glory of this story is ultimately recorded for us in Revelation chapter 20 when this adversary of God, the opposition to God is finally defeated along with all of those who chose to side against God.  In other words, God wins.  And the Christmas story is a large part of the narrative of God winning.  It is because Christ conquers death that God wins.  It is because Christ conquers the grave that God wins.  It is because Christ conquers sin that God wins.  God chooses to use the birth of this baby in humble circumstances to be the means by which victory is ultimately won. 

But in our present it does not seem to be that God has won.  Children are murdered, women are assaulted, brother fights against brother, sister steals from sister, families are disintegrating, we face moral ills on every side and it does not seem that God has won.  Henry Wadsworth Longfellow wrote a poem that became a song that captures the heart of this struggle well.

And in despair I bowed my head:
"There is no peace on earth," I said,
"For hate is strong and mocks the song
Of peace on earth, good will to men."

Then pealed the bells more loud and deep:
"God is not dead, nor doth he sleep;
The wrong shall fail, the right prevail,
With peace on earth, good will to men."

This is one of the many joys of the Christmas story - it reminds us that our future is secure, right does prevail because our God lives and is still accomplishing His perfect plan for our world.  God has redeemed us in Christ, He has saved us from our sins, and He will save us finally and completely at some time designated in the future.  Until that day we cry out to the Savior born of a virgin, "Come quickly Lord Jesus."  Which is a cry to make the promised future our present.  And what a glorious gift it will be.