DID YOUR NATIVITY COME WITH A DRAGON?
When the apostle John was exiled on the Isle of Patmos, the Lord pulled back the curtain between heaven and earth and invited old John to see things from a heavenly perspective. Among the events he saw, John saw the cosmic warfare surrounding Christ’s birth.
In order to understand John’s vision, three figures must be identified: the woman, the son, and the dragon. We know that Mary gave birth to Jesus, but the symbolic description of the woman points to Israel. Notice John’s description: “I saw a woman clothed with the sun, with the moon beneath her feet, and a crown of twelve stars on her head” (Rev. 12:1). This is a reference to Joseph’s dream found in Genesis 37:9. The sun and moon are his parents and the stars, his brothers. This describes Jacob, his wife and twelve sons who became the twelve tribes of Israel.
The second figure, which John refers to variously as the “baby,” the “child,” and the “son,” is Christ Jesus. John’s description that he “was to rule all nations with an iron rod” is a reference to the Messianic prophecy found in Psalm 2:9. However, the time had not yet come for Jesus to take up the “iron rod.” For his first advent was as a Suffering Servant, not a conquering King.
The dragon’s identity is given to us by John, “This great dragon is the ancient serpent called the devil, or Satan” (Rev. 12:9). His desire to “devour” the baby was seen in Herod’s unsuccessful attempt to murder Jesus by ordering the death of every baby boy in Bethlehem under age two.
John’s revelation reminds us that the first Christmas was a cosmic event, filled with drama and spiritual warfare. His book pulls back the curtain of heaven and lets us see Christmas from God’s perspective.
I’ve never seen a Christmas nativity set that included a dragon. But he was there. And he is still at war with all those who seek to worship the one born king, King Jesus.
PRAYER: Dear Father, thank You for pulling back the curtain so that we can see the profound spiritual importance of that first Christmas. Help us to see with fresh perspective and with spiritual eyes the wonder of the gift of Your Son this season. And strengthen us to recognize the spiritual battle for our worship. In Jesus’ name, amen.