Christmas is almost here...the time of the celebration of the Christ child's birth...
The whole Bible pictures Jesus...in various roles, times, His infiniteness, His humbleness, His names...
I was imagining those as I read...
Just pictures played out one on top of another...if I were an artist, how I would begin to create a tableau of impressions....I have seen an artist who uses smoke to create art work, layers upon layers...
First there would be an empty canvas,
In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth. Now the earth was formless and empty, darkness was over the surface of the deep, and the Spirit of God was hovering over the waters.
Genesis 1:1-2
Then an open book...
In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was with God in the beginning. Through him all things were made; without him nothing was made that has been made. In him was life, and that life was the light of all mankind. The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it.
John 1:1-5
A garden...a people....
Now the Lord God had planted a garden in the east, in Eden; and there he put the man he had formed.
The Lord God took the man and put him in the Garden of Eden to work it and take care of it.
Genesis 2:8,15
A love...
For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life. For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through him. Whoever believes in him is not condemned, but whoever does not believe stands condemned already because they have not believed in the name of God’s one and only Son.
John 3:16-18
A tiny baby in a manger...
and she gave birth to her firstborn, a son. She wrapped him in cloths and placed him in a manger, because there was no guest room available for them.
So they hurried off and found Mary and Joseph, and the baby, who was lying in the manger.
Luke 2:7,16
A servant...
so he got up from the meal, took off his outer clothing, and wrapped a towel around his waist. After that, he poured water into a basin and began to wash his disciples’ feet, drying them with the towel that was wrapped around him. When he had finished washing their feet, he put on his clothes and returned to his place. “Do you understand what I have done for you?” he asked them. 13 “You call me ‘Teacher’ and ‘Lord,’ and rightly so, for that is what I am. 14 Now that I, your Lord and Teacher, have washed your feet, you also should wash one another’s feet. 15 I have set you an example that you should do as I have done for you. 16 Very truly I tell you, no servant is greater than his master, nor is a messenger greater than the one who sent him. 17 Now that you know these things, you will be blessed if you do them.
John 13:4-5,12-17
A man walking on water...
When they had rowed about three or four miles, they saw Jesus approaching the boat, walking on the water; and they were frightened. But he said to them, “It is I; don’t be afraid.”
John 6:19-20
A teacher...
He got into one of the boats, the one belonging to Simon, and asked him to put out a little from shore. Then he sat down and taught the people from the boat.
Luke 5:3
A cross...
When they had crucified him, they divided up his clothes by casting lots. Above his head they placed the written charge against him: this is jesus, the king of the jews. And when Jesus had cried out again in a loud voice, he gave up his spirit. At that moment the curtain of the temple was torn in two from top to bottom. The earth shook, the rocks split and the tombs broke open. The bodies of many holy people who had died were raised to life. When the centurion and those with him who were guarding Jesus saw the earthquake and all that had happened, they were terrified, and exclaimed, “Surely he was the Son of God!”
Matthew 27:35,37,50-54
A mighty warrior ....
I saw heaven standing open and there before me was a white horse, whose rider is called Faithful and True. With justice he judges and wages war. His eyes are like blazing fire, and on his head are many crowns. He has a name written on him that no one knows but he himself. He is dressed in a robe dipped in blood, and his name is the Word of God. The armies of heaven were following him, riding on white horses and dressed in fine linen, white and clean. Coming out of his mouth is a sharp sword with which to strike down the nations. “He will rule them with an iron scepter.” He treads the winepress of the fury of the wrath of God Almighty. On his robe and on his thigh he has this name written:
KING of KINGS and LORD of LORDS
Revelation 19:11-16
A throne...
Then I saw a great white throne and him who was seated on it. The earth and the heavens fled from his presence, and there was no place for them.
Revelation 20:11
As I picture these pictures one after another, I hear the "Hallelujah Chorus" ( which is as close to heaven singing that I can earthly imagine) with a full orchestra filling the air with its triumphant praise...
I can add picture upon picture, as John says in John 21:25...filling the world with books...
We all have in our minds impressions of Jesus...how He works in our lives and those around us...from that void to the manger to the mighty King and all inbetween...each filling our souls...if we believe...thank YOU...for the celebration of Christmas... Creator/Kingship in a manger...
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