The Father, who was “pleased to give us the kingdom” and the warfare that goes with it (Ephesians 6:10-18,) continues to add ministering, warring men and women to the ranks of the holy host of heaven. Angels, it would seem, are not job-proud … if we will join them in their work and worship, we will be most welcome.
Our work, as Jesus told us, is to “believe in the One (the Father) has sent.” (John 6:29) There’s a vocation for you – and it is ours. Devils believe – and tremble. (James 2:19) Angels believe – and worship. They are ever on point, ever conducting an unfailing obedience to the God of Heaven and Earth.
Again, what is that believing work? Jesus said that His work was to do the will of the Father, and that as the Father was working at all times, so was the Son. We know that the Son continues in His work, now in unceasing intercession, with the Holy Spirit. (Hebrews 7:25 and Romans 8:26) In all obedience, and in continual intercession, we join in. With the angels and saints, we worship, and with our Lord, we pray.
During this season, this happy season, this season of joys and delights extraordinary, we remember those who live in bonds of darkness and depression, of fear and oppression. It’s in July that we celebrate liberty in this nation, but for us, Christmas is the perfect time to call out the freedoms that are in Christ. Bondages certainly are stimulated in this time of world-wide rejoicing. So shall be our effectual prayers.
In Galatians 5, we are enjoined to STAND FAST in liberty and not be entangled with yokes of bondage. In Psalm 119:45, the psalmist declares that he will walk and go about in freedom because of the precepts of the Lord. There is no season for bondage, and for those who will fight with spiritual weapons, it is open season on fear and depression and all that darkens the souls of the ones we love.
Lights on our tree, candles glowing, wonderful aromas and beautiful music … and still we hear the cries of the oppressed, and we bring them with us before the Throne of Grace now, and ever more faithfully in the year ahead.
It is, once again, Christmas on the battlefield, and we advance, rejoicing.
A.C. Michael, The Christmas Truce
British and German soldiers, arm-in-arm on Christmas Eve, 1914
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