REDISCOVER THE WONDER
26th Dec 2018
We recently attended a Carol Service in Wells Cathedral. It was good to hear the familiar Bible readings, and the choral singing was spine tingling. Towards the end of the service a responsive prayer time was led sensitively by a lady Vicar, and part of the response included the words, “Show Your Glory.” She also prayed that over this Christmas time people everywhere would rediscover the wonder, awesome, supernatural aspect of God breaking into human time and showing His Glory.
It is so easy to be caught up with the tinsel, food and present giving and lose sight of the supernatural aspect of what happened 2000 years ago in a small middle eastern country. Ponder anew how God broke into human history.
The father of John the Baptist couldn’t believe his aged wife could be pregnant, and as a result of unbelief was struck dumb whilst on temple duties. However, when he in obedience gave the baby the name commanded by the angel, his tongue was released and Luke 1:65 tells us that, “A deep reverential fear settled over the neighbourhood, and in that hill country people talked about nothing else.”
Shepherds heard angelic choirs, wise men travelled great distances following a nascent star to find a King. Dreams and visions imparted practical wisdom to Joseph; God’s glory was breaking into the world.
Simeon, a righteous and devout resident of Jerusalem had lived waiting for God’s Messiah to appear. He had been told by God’s Holy Spirit that he would see the Messiah before he died. Moved by the Spirit he was in the temple at the time of Jesus’ circumcision and praised God as he declared, “With my own eyes I’ve seen your salvation….a God-revealing light to the non-Jewish nations, and of glory for your people Israel.” (Luke 2:30) Anna had waited for years and years to see God’s intervention, worshipping, fasting and praying. She gave thanks to God and spoke about the child to all who were looking forward to the redemption of Jerusalem.
Keep worshipping, believing, proclaiming Jesus is coming again, and I believe we will see many signs of God’s glory, mercy and the Holy Spirit’s activity as we wait.
Ponder anew what the Almighty can do!
by Joyce Sibthorpe
