We celebrate Christmas because without the birth of God’s son, we would still be wandering, lost, looking for our promised land.
Christmas is the story of how mankind turned away from God, but rather than rejecting us, God showed his love for us by sending his son to redeem us and save us.
The entire Bible tells the Christmas story – the beginning, middle, and end. And it’s not over yet. That’s right – we are part of the Christmas story, too!
Day One – A Perfect World Lost
It all began way before a baby boy was born in a manger to a virgin; it began in a garden with one man, one woman, a serpent, and God. Actually, it’s safe to say, it began even before that, but the Bible isn’t clear exactly when the events I’m about to tell you happened.
There was a time that everything on Earth was perfect, exactly how God designed it and intended it to be. Afterall, He didn’t create a messed up world.
Like an artist creating a masterpiece, He set everything in motion as He saw fit and He was very pleased with His finished product.
However, sometime before the creation of the world, God had a falling out with his head angel, Lucifer aka Satan. You see, Lucifer didn’t like that God was in charge, and he became jealous and greedy, wanting what was not his, wanting to be higher than God (Isaiah 14:12-15).
The thing is, you can’t overpower your maker. The one who created you will always be in control. That’s just how it works.
“Yours, O Lord, is the greatness and the power and the glory and the victory and the majesty, for all that is in the heavens and in the earth is yours. Yours is the kingdom, O Lord, and you are exalted as head above all.” 1 Chronicles 29:11
Whenever you try to step in front of God, the outcome isn’t good.
When Satan tried to be higher than God, it didn’t work out well for him either.
After God created His perfect world, He sat back, like an artist or designer would, and enjoyed His masterpiece. He took it all in, He took pleasure in the earth, the plants, the animal, and His favorite part of all of creation….Us!
“So God created man in his own image, in the image of God he created him; male and female he created them….. And God saw everything that he had made, and behold, it was very good.” Genesis 1:27-31
However, lurking in the midst of God’s new creation, was something dark, evil, and seething, longing to destroy God’s masterpiece. It’s the oldest story in the book – the story of good vs. evil.
We all know that evil never wins the war, even if it sometimes wins the battle. The story of God vs. Satan is the original story of good vs. evil. Satan knows how much we mean to God and has figured out the way to get revenge is to drive us away from God.
Imagine, if you had put together something so perfect, whether you’re an artist, or a chef, or a writer; whether you’re a teacher with a perfect classroom and lesson plan; or a mom with a clean house and plans to finally relax; but there’s someone who doesn’t feel you should be able to enjoy your hard work, they just want to destroy it because they can’t have it for themselves. This is how I imagine Satan was toward God and His Creation.
So, let’s remember this:
The world that God created was perfect. Do you know what that even means? It’s actually hard to fathom because it hasn’t been in perfect condition for a very long time.
When I think of a perfect world, I think of what we know about Heaven:
“Behold, the dwelling place of God is with man. He will dwell with them, and they will be his people, and God himself will be with them as their God. He will wipe away every tear from their eyes, and death shall be no more, neither shall there be mourning, nor crying, nor pain anymore, for the former things have passed away.” Revelation 21:3-4
I need you to understand something really important – the world God created was a world without pain, suffering, sorrow, death, crime, or poverty. The world God created was good.
It was only by the deception of the crafty devil to mankind, Adam and Eve, that the world started falling apart.
Now, before we go any further, I take a few minutes and read these two passages:
This is the pivotal point when Satan came down to earth, and started his first efforts to destroy God’s perfect world.
Here’s something we need to know and respect about God:
Nothing in the world is bigger than God.
“For by him all things were created, in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or rulers or authorities—all things were created through him and for him. And he is before all things, and in him all things hold together.” Colossians 1:16-17
Don’t you think that God knew this was going to happen? Nothing ever surprises God. That’s why He goes before us, prepares the way for us. He always knows what’s up ahead (Deuteronomy 31:8, Deuteronomy 1:30, Isaiah 52:12).
That day, in the garden, God already had a plan. Just like He has a plan for you and me.
“The God of peace will soon crush Satan under your feet. The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you.” Romans 16:20
Join me tomorrow as we explore God’s counter to Satan’s attack on God’s perfect world, and God’s plan to restore His masterpiece back to perfection.
To follow the whole series of Journey to Christmas, click here: https://jenniferjabbour.com/the-journey-to-christmas-advent-series/
What do you think?