Zecharaiah 8:1-23
Revelation 16:1-21
Psalm 144:1-15
Proverbs 30:29-31
What contrasting, conflicting stories we have in today's readings. In Zecharaiah we read a story of redemption, salvation and restoration. "Once again men and women of ripe old age will sit in the streets of Jerusalem…the city streets will be filled with boys and girls playing there." Because where once the Lord was "determined to bring disaster on you and showed no pity when your ancestors angered me", now He has "determined to do good again to Jerusalem and to Judah."
An entirely different story in Revelation, though. Today we read about the seven bowls of God's wrath, poured upon the earth, and their effect is terrible to behold, worse to experience. Festering sores, water that turns to blood, a sun that scorches, darkness, drought, earthquakes. Such bad that people "cursed God…because the plague was so terrible."
The same God, two very opposite pictures of Him, part of the same salvation story, rooted in His love for us, and His desire for us to come back to Him.
In the same way there are two very opposite pictures of Christmas. In the one, we see the tranquil picture of a peaceful mother, a relieved father, and a baby sleeping in a manger, surrounded by shepherds and astrologers, all in wonder at the circumstances of the child's birth.
Yet the very same elements that make up this picture of a journey finally complete for all its obstacles and challenges paint the portrait of another beginning - one that will end in blood and sacrifice. The shepherds might have understood this - they were Levitical shepherds, and they cared not just for sheep, but for the perfect sheep destined for sacrifice of atonement. They came and saw a baby born in a cave where they brought their ewes to give birth to their sheep, the better to protect them from attack. They came and saw a baby wrapped in the same cloths they used to wrap the perfect lamb, to keep it from injury, and preserve its perfection, its suitability for sacrifice. And the astrologers might have understood this as well - they came bearing not just gifts fit for royalty and holiness, but for death as well.
The same Child, two very opposite pictures of the events at Bethlehem, signifying the beginning of life, and its sacrifice for the atonement of our sins. Again, part of the same salvation story, rooted in God's love for us, and His desire for us to come back to Him.
Father, as we celebrate Your Son's birth, may we remember in the same breath the purpose for which He was born. And may we respond to the inestimable gift of salvation You gave us, which we celebrate today, by confessing He is our Savior, our only means of reconciliation back to You. Thank You again.
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