Christmas: God’s Mystery Revealed!

The stage was set ere time began,
A perfect script conceived in heaven;
Events unfolding throughout history,
Revealing the clues of God’s great mystery.

A beautiful garden, man’s perfect location,
Forbidden fruit, a serpent’s deception;
Then entered the stage the curse of sin on all flesh,
But then the promise that one day its head would be crushed.

Time swiftly passed; the years rolled away;
A man named Abram was called to the stage;
Blessing bestowed upon him by God’s undeserved mercy,
All the world would be blessed through the seed of his family.

Then Isaac, then Jacob, assumed his role,
And God said, “Now you shall be called, ‘Israel.’”
“Be fruitful and multiply,” He commanded,
So the blessing from generation to generation was handed.

Sibling rivalry ran in the hearts of twelve brothers;
And Joseph was sold as a slave by the others;
Into Egypt he came; to great power he rose,
Sent by God to preserve the people He chose.

Though great were his deeds and many were saved,
There arose a new king who knew not Joseph’s name.
“Let the burdens be heavier, make them serve us!” he cried;
But the people of Israel only multiplied.

Now off in a corner the plot develops;
A bush, seen by Moses, that a fire envelops;
From the midst, a voice, that proclaims, “I AM”;
Then, “My people cry out and redemption is my plan.”

Ten plagues wrought destruction till Egypt was ravaged,
But Israel escapes, the lamb’s blood their passage –
Applied to the sides and the top of the door,
So the Angel of Death passed over, and God brought them forth.

Miracle of miracles the Red Sea was divided,
The way of salvation supernaturally provided;
Now safe and secure, from the mountain was spoken
A covenant of promise that could never be broken.

God’s treasured possession, redeemed at great cost;
To obey would bring blessing, to rebel – great loss;
With heart, soul, and might, their love was His desire,
And to teach to their children the commands He required.

This the point of their failure, for once they were gone,
their children knew not God, nor the works He had done;
Abandoning faith, to false gods they bowed down,
God’s anger provoked, but His patience wore on.

Again the sands of time descended,
New clues emerged, the mystery extended;
A valiant man emerged on the scene,
David – a shepherd, a warrior, a king.

Forever established his throne would be,
The promise declared to David and his seed;
Again words of blessing if Israel would but obey;
Instead the rebellious bride wandered, gave her heart away.

Time after time in compassion God sent
A host of His messengers, but Israel would not repent;
Masterfully scripted, now the part she must play,
But woe to the villain who has entered the stage!

Babylon the Great in pomp and pride,
The bearer of wrath with her arrogant stride;
Fire and sword ruled the day,
Till she emerged triumphant – carried God’s people away.

In the midst of captivity a remnant remained,
Keeping God’s Word, proclaiming His Name;
His promise rang out, “I’ll come dwell in your midst”;
Be faithful, be watchful, and the truth you’ll not miss.

Then the curtain was closed, the stage grew dim,
But the faithful ones still waited for Him;
A promised deliverer would come, they knew,
But the secret was kept until Act Two.

Splitting the silence, word from above!
Not in royal grandeur, but a whisper of love;
Favored one of God, virgin Mary to conceive and bear
Son of the Most High, the promised deliverer.

A shocking revelation, but wait, what’s this?
The throne of David His father will now be His!
A kingdom set up to endure forever,
Over the house of Jacob He – the eternal Ruler.

Unassuming birth, a small town, fulfillment of prophecy,
Short time later brought to the temple was He,
Where Simeon – devout and filled with the Spirit,
Saw Jesus; at once, the mystery – he knew it!

Into the world the answer had come;
God alone in human flesh could make all people one;
Those who were Gentiles at times in the past
Were welcomed into the promise at last.

Though once far off and dead in sin,
The blood of the Lamb brought redemption again;
Applied to men’s hearts by God’s grace alone,
Faith freely given; not by works of our own.

The inheritance now is ours to claim,
Because by adoption we bear Jesus’ Name;
He purchased for us what could never be earned –
A home in heaven, forever preserved.

Not only in this life, but for all eternity
His chosen people, a royal priesthood are we,
Proclaiming His greatness, now we have light –
marvelous, brilliant, gloriously bright!

For ages and generations the clues have been given;
It’s clear that the answer is no longer hidden;
To the world God has fully made known His mystery,
which is Christ in you – the hope of glory!

©2008 Natalie Wickham

Corresponding Scripture passages:
1. Isaiah 46:9-10
2. Genesis 3:14-15 (4004 B.C.)
3. Genesis 12:1-3 (1921 B.C.)
4. Genesis 35:9-12 (1732 B.C.)
5. Genesis 37-45 (1728 B.C.)
6. Exodus 1:8-12 (1635 B.C.)
7. Exodus 3:1-10 (1491 B.C.)
8. Exodus 11-13 (1491 B.C.)
9. Exodus 14, 19:3-6 (1491 B.C.)
10. Deuteronomy 6:4-7 (1491 B.C.)
11. Judges 2:10-12 (1409 B.C.)
12. 2 Samuel 7 (1048 B.C.)
13. Psalm 81:8-12 (1048-606 B.C.)
14. 2 Chronicles 36 (606 B.C.)
15. 2 Chronicles 36 (606 B.C.)
16. Zechariah 2:10-13 (520 B.C.)
17. 400 years between the Old and New Testaments
18. Luke 1:26-30 (1 B.C.)
19. Luke 1:26-30 (1 B.C.)
20. Luke 2
21. Ephesians 2
22. Ephesians 2
23. 1 Peter 1-2
24. 1 Peter 1-2
25. Colossians 1

Christmas is Here

Christmas is here.
Fresh snow has fallen.
Sunshine breaks forth.
God’s blessings abound.

Gifts under trees.
Food in the oven.
Laughter and mirth.
Good friends all around.

Music in ears.
True hope is given.
Baby is born.
A glorious sound.

God is now near.
Mystery from heaven.
Light to dark earth.
Wise words that astound.

Insight appears.
Joy in small children.
Gift of great worth.
When Jesus is found.

©2007 Natalie Wickham

Oh, the beauty to behold
in words eternal God has told,
writ down through time by men of old
that we might see His plan unfold!
Oh, the glory He revealed
that we might be redeemed and healed,
pierced by the sword His hand did wield
then by His Spirit cleansed and sealed.