Christmas Vision
Scripture Reading — 2 Corinthians 4:16-18
What is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal.
2 Corinthians 4:18
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The apostle Paul knew that unseen things are often more important and precious than the things you can see. He testified to the Corinthian Christians that unseen things of God (the Lord’s grace, love, mission, and power) gave Paul great courage when he faced persecution, prison, shipwreck and other visible dangers.
What if the people we have been studying this month had been able to see some of the unseen things behind the Christmas events? What if Zechariah had been able to see God commissioning the angel to deliver the message to him? Maybe Zechariah would have believed the angel’s words right away. What if the innkeepers of Bethlehem had been able to see that the baby born in their stable was the Son of God? Maybe they would have given Joseph and Mary different accommodations. What if Herod had been able to see God’s dominion over the earth and everything in it? Maybe he would have abandoned his pride and surrendered to God’s plan for the newborn king of the Jews.
These people didn’t see these hidden things. Yet God used Zechariah’s silence, the innkeepers’ ignorance, and Herod’s pettiness for his perfect purposes.
God is at work in unseen ways today too. keep your spiritual eyes open so that when you do see evidence of his work, you will be ready to join in what God is doing.
Give us vision that takes us beyond our light and momentary troubles, Lord. That vision makes us ready to offer our hands and feet to you promptly and sincerely. Amen.
About the author — Dave Den Haan
Dave Den Haan is an ordained minister who works for Thrive, the Christian Reformed Church in North America agency that equips and encourages congregations. His main focus is to serve churches experiencing conflict and challenge. Before working with Thrive, Dave served as a pastor to two congregations, one in Minnesota and one in Michigan. He and his wife, Connie, have three married children and two grandchildren.
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