IMAGINATION! WHAT A PRECIOUS GIFT. Life would be pretty boring without it. It’s the stuff that inspires poets, song-writers, artists, and movie-makers. Imagination gives birth to dreams and visions. Ralph Waldo Emerson was right when he said, “Imagination is not a talent of some men but is the health of every man.” With that in mind, let your mind visualize with me a scene that could well have taken place in the celestial courts long, long ago.
There was sorrow in heaven. Can you imagine that? Sorrow in heaven! It seemed strange to the angels who were given the task of carrying the messages for the Master from one end of heaven to the other. A report was out that Gabriel had those things called “tears” in his eyes. Something terrible must have happened to have caused it. The only other time tears were shed in heaven was back when the earth was first created and two humans fell prey to Lucifer. It broke the Master’s heart.
The conclusion was that Gabriel’s tears must have something to do with those beings on earth. A rumor was spreading throughout the Crystal Sea that the Lord Himself was going down to earth to live among them. It was hard to believe but was confirmed by Gabriel. The Master was going to leave the Ivory Palaces and the Rainbow Throne and take up residence on that rebellious planet.
Confused angels began to ask the question that crossed everyone’s mind. “What will He do down there? The answer given by the archangel was, “He’s going to be born.” The angels answered, “Born? What’s born?” Gabriel: “I don’t know; it’s something that happens to earth creatures.”
There was a great deal of commotion in the celestial city. Angels had massed from the four corners of heaven. Row upon row, rank upon rank---angels and archangels were there before the Great Throne of God Almighty. Then they saw it. Something made their hearts sink---the seat at the right of the throne was empty! The Bright and Morning Star was gone!
Gabriel raised his hand and there was complete silence. Then in clear tones as sweet as the sound of many waters, he spoke: “You’ve been called together to hear the most wonderful pronouncement ever made in the eternal ages. Our beloved Lord, the only begotten of the Father, has left us!”
The voice of the great angel trembled and sobs burst from the lips of the gathered host. In a moment, Gabriel continued: “Our Lord has gone to earth to be born as a babe that He might take upon Himself the fashion of a man. Only in this way, the Father believes, can the earth people know of His love for them. He will take away the sin of all earth creatures who receive His offer of salvation.”
A gasp of astonishment rose from the angels. They couldn’t imagine the Lord of Glory living in a place of such darkness. In a moment, Gabriel continued: “On earth tonight in a little town called Bethlehem, His incarnation will be accomplished.
Several of the best singing angels were selected to accompany Gabriel as he made the announcement. By the thousands and tens of thousands they swept through the heavens. Down through the belt of Orion, on past the Milky Way---down, down, they went through the still night air, leaving the stars twinkling far behind them.
At a signal from Gabriel they stopped, poised above the earth. Below them, by the light of a camp fire, they could see shepherds keeping watch over their flocks. Suddenly, Gabriel broke through the clouds and stood before the men. They gazed at him and the attending hosts in awe and then fell in terror to the ground. Then Gabriel spoke: “Fear not, for behold I bring you good tidings of great joy. For unto you is born this day in the city of David, a Savior who is Christ the Lord. You shall find the babe wrapped in swaddling clothes and lying in a manger.”
As Gabriel finished these words, the light of the glory of God fell from heaven and the hosts began to sing, “Glory to God in the highest and on earth, peace to men of good will.”
The song floated out upon the still night air. It enraptured the shepherds who heard it. The night breeze that blows over the fields of Bethlehem caught it up and bore it heavenward, where it echoed around the Throne of God and was lost among the stars. Then, at a signal from Gabriel the heavenly host moved upward.
One of the angels asked Gabriel how long the Master would be gone. “Thirty three years, I am told. It will take that long for Him to provide for mankind’s redemption. Heaven will be a lonely place without Him but earth will one day rejoice greatly. They will write songs and books that will praise His glorious name from age to age. He will become the fountainhead of life for all who embrace Him.” And with that, the angels broke out in a song of praise as they continued on their journey toward home.
There was sorrow in heaven. Can you imagine that? Sorrow in heaven! It seemed strange to the angels who were given the task of carrying the messages for the Master from one end of heaven to the other. A report was out that Gabriel had those things called “tears” in his eyes. Something terrible must have happened to have caused it. The only other time tears were shed in heaven was back when the earth was first created and two humans fell prey to Lucifer. It broke the Master’s heart.
The conclusion was that Gabriel’s tears must have something to do with those beings on earth. A rumor was spreading throughout the Crystal Sea that the Lord Himself was going down to earth to live among them. It was hard to believe but was confirmed by Gabriel. The Master was going to leave the Ivory Palaces and the Rainbow Throne and take up residence on that rebellious planet.
Confused angels began to ask the question that crossed everyone’s mind. “What will He do down there? The answer given by the archangel was, “He’s going to be born.” The angels answered, “Born? What’s born?” Gabriel: “I don’t know; it’s something that happens to earth creatures.”
There was a great deal of commotion in the celestial city. Angels had massed from the four corners of heaven. Row upon row, rank upon rank---angels and archangels were there before the Great Throne of God Almighty. Then they saw it. Something made their hearts sink---the seat at the right of the throne was empty! The Bright and Morning Star was gone!
Gabriel raised his hand and there was complete silence. Then in clear tones as sweet as the sound of many waters, he spoke: “You’ve been called together to hear the most wonderful pronouncement ever made in the eternal ages. Our beloved Lord, the only begotten of the Father, has left us!”
The voice of the great angel trembled and sobs burst from the lips of the gathered host. In a moment, Gabriel continued: “Our Lord has gone to earth to be born as a babe that He might take upon Himself the fashion of a man. Only in this way, the Father believes, can the earth people know of His love for them. He will take away the sin of all earth creatures who receive His offer of salvation.”
A gasp of astonishment rose from the angels. They couldn’t imagine the Lord of Glory living in a place of such darkness. In a moment, Gabriel continued: “On earth tonight in a little town called Bethlehem, His incarnation will be accomplished.
Several of the best singing angels were selected to accompany Gabriel as he made the announcement. By the thousands and tens of thousands they swept through the heavens. Down through the belt of Orion, on past the Milky Way---down, down, they went through the still night air, leaving the stars twinkling far behind them.
At a signal from Gabriel they stopped, poised above the earth. Below them, by the light of a camp fire, they could see shepherds keeping watch over their flocks. Suddenly, Gabriel broke through the clouds and stood before the men. They gazed at him and the attending hosts in awe and then fell in terror to the ground. Then Gabriel spoke: “Fear not, for behold I bring you good tidings of great joy. For unto you is born this day in the city of David, a Savior who is Christ the Lord. You shall find the babe wrapped in swaddling clothes and lying in a manger.”
As Gabriel finished these words, the light of the glory of God fell from heaven and the hosts began to sing, “Glory to God in the highest and on earth, peace to men of good will.”
The song floated out upon the still night air. It enraptured the shepherds who heard it. The night breeze that blows over the fields of Bethlehem caught it up and bore it heavenward, where it echoed around the Throne of God and was lost among the stars. Then, at a signal from Gabriel the heavenly host moved upward.
One of the angels asked Gabriel how long the Master would be gone. “Thirty three years, I am told. It will take that long for Him to provide for mankind’s redemption. Heaven will be a lonely place without Him but earth will one day rejoice greatly. They will write songs and books that will praise His glorious name from age to age. He will become the fountainhead of life for all who embrace Him.” And with that, the angels broke out in a song of praise as they continued on their journey toward home.
posted by kazookid | 7:21 AM
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