I love nativity scenes. The one I have at my office was made in Bethlehem, carved out of Olive wood. It’s a full-service scene including Mary, Joseph, baby Jesus, shepherds, donkeys, sheep, and even three wise men and their camels, although biblically they weren’t actually on the scene at that time!

But there is something missing from my scene, and most others as well.  It’s a Dragon.  If you really want to be biblical, lose the wise men and find a Dragon. The Bible talks about a Dragon, or rather, The Dragon, being present at the birth of Jesus. This most unusual nativity story is found in The Book of Revelation, chapter 12.

Revelation 12:1-6, 17 says, “And a great sign appeared in heaven: a woman clothed with the sun, with the moon under her feet, and on her head a crown of twelve stars.  She was pregnant and was crying out in birth pains and the agony of giving birth.  And another sign appeared in heaven: behold, a great red dragon, with seven heads and ten horns, and on his heads seven diadems.  His tail swept down a third of the stars of heaven and cast them to the earth. And the dragon stood before the woman who was about to give birth, so that when she bore her child he might devour it.  She gave birth to a male child, one who is to rule all the nations with a rod of iron, but her child was caught up to God and to his throne,  and the woman fled into the wilderness, where she has a place prepared by God, in which she is to be nourished for 1,260 days….Then the dragon became furious with the woman and went off to make war on the rest of her offspring, on those who keep the commandments of God and hold to the testimony of Jesus.”

The Lord gives us in His Word, a heavenly perspective of the birth of Jesus that doesn’t fit most of our nice, neat nativity scenes. Satan, the great Dragon was present in the events of Bethlehem and using the human instrument of Herod, attempted to end the earthly ministry of Jesus before it could begin. But Joseph, being warned in a dream, took Mary and the baby to Egypt (the wilderness described in Revelation 12) until the danger had passed.

This is an amazing story that continues through our day.  I included Rev.12:17 in the text because it shows that the great Dragon is still making war on the woman and her children; in this case, “those who keep the commandments of God and hold to the testimony of Jesus.”  As we celebrate the birth of Jesus this year, can we remember that we have brothers and sisters in Christ around the world who are being pursued by the Dragon. It’s a long story and it’s not over yet.

You and I, along with all followers of Jesus are still in the story. Pray for those on the front lines, whose very lives are threatened by our common enemy, the Dragon of the nativity story. Our current part of the story however, is not the end.  That comes later, though perhaps not much later. The Bible tells us about what happens to the Dragon. In Revelation 20:2 we read, “And he seized the dragon, that ancient serpent, who is the devil and Satan, and bound him for a thousand years. Revelation 20:10 says, “…and the devil who had deceived them was thrown into the lake of fire and sulfur where the beast and the false prophet were, and they will be tormented day and night forever and ever.

The victory is complete, but that doesn’t make the current battle less real. Our prayers today connect us with the victory of the Cross in the past and the vanquishing of the dragon in the future.

Lord Jesus, we are so grateful for the victory that is ours because of who You are and all You have accomplished. We pray especially today for our brothers and sisters who are being persecuted by the same evil one who desired to kill You. Grant them strength and victory in their struggle. Show us how to pray in a way that expands Your Kingdom and defeats the enemy. In this special time of year in which we celebrate Your Coming as a baby to bring life, we also cry out for Your return as Conquering King!

I have a confession.  Sometimes I still get anxious before the Lord.  And when I do, my words to him are a bit like a baby’s cry.  I don’t typically know why I’m anxious or upset, so I can’t always articulate it. It’s just a cry.  It’s always uncomfortable and troubling. The psalmist speaks powerfully of the solution to this in Psalm 131:2-4: “But I have stilled and quieted my soul; like a weaned child with its mother, like a weaned child is my soul within me. O Israel, put your hope in the Lord both now and forevermore.”

One night a few years ago, our less-than-4-month-old grandson came for a visit while his mommy went on some errands. For most of the visit he was a delightful, smiling, playful little baby.  But then, something happened to change this scenario. None of us knew what exactly was wrong and baby Jack certainly couldn’t tell us. Although he had been fed and changed, he was still angry and upset and he had no way of telling us what the matter was. We hugged him, talked to him, bounced him, sang to him, walked him and did all we could do to calm him down but he was inconsolable until his mommy came home a few minutes later–thankfully! He needed what only she could give him.

I realized how the psalmist pictured me as baby Jack when I am anxious before the Lord.  An unweaned child, still dependent upon his mother’s milk, has no real way of telling you what’s wrong.  Often, there are just tears and/or anger until we receive the peace that only a loving Father can give us. God calls me (and you) to still and quiet ourselves before Him. The example Scripture gives us for dealing with our discomfort or unrest is of a child that is now older–still a child, but now old enough to communicate the problem or issue that is troubling them.

Jack has an older sister, Luci, who is about 3 1/2 years older.  She is like the weaned child of Psalm 131.  Still a child with tears and issues, she can usually communicate what is wrong.  One day she dissolved in a fit of anger. Her mother had talked to her earlier about such things and just watched her.  Suddenly, in the midst of the tears, Luci sobbed, “I’m . . . so . . . out . . . of . . . control!” Her mother calmly replied, “Yes, you are. Would you like to talk about it?”

What a picture of how real God is with us!  He will listen to us even when we cry and can’t explain it. But His desire is for us to “still and quiet” ourselves before Him so that He can begin to clearly deal with the issues in our lives. More and more I find myself coming to the Lord in prayer and simply saying, “Today Lord, I choose to still and quiet myself before you.” And, He is there, waiting to bring comfort and hope into my soul.

(c) Harvest Prayer Ministries

“But You are our Father, though Abraham does not know us or Israel acknowledge us; You, O Lord, are our Father, our Redeemer from of old is Your name” (Isaiah 63:16).

This scripture passage has a powerful and much-needed statement of faith. In spite of the poor spiritual condition of the nation and their estrangement from God, His people still spoke out by faith the truth that God was their Father. It was an essential step for them. There was every indication that the presence of God had been removed. God, earlier in this passage, declared that He was fighting against them. But in their repentance and sorrow, they held on to the truth of their covenant relationship with God as their Father. It was a breakthrough moment.

How often we need those breakthrough moments. Christians everywhere are living below their spiritual potential. Prayers go unanswered. God seems far away.  We wonder about our relationship with Him. It is time to speak by faith who He is and who we are in Christ. When we wonder and doubt whether revival can ever come again, it is time to hold on to the truth of God’s Word–that Jesus is coming for a Bride who is pure and holy, adorned in white . . . a church that has been revived!

Father, how we love to call You by this name! You are indeed our Eternal Father. We have been brought into Your family through Jesus Christ, adopted as sons and daughters, and sealed with Your precious Spirit. Give us boldness to speak Your Word by faith, even when the circumstances around us seem to go against it. We believe You, Lord, more than our circumstances. Thank You for the unchanging nature of Your Word.

“Where is He who set His Holy Spirit among them, who sent His glorious arm of power to be at Moses’ right hand, who divided the waters before them, to gain for Himself everlasting renown, who led them through the depths? Like a horse in open country, they did not stumble; like cattle that go down to the plain, they were given rest by the Spirit of the Lord. This is how You guided Your people to make for Yourself a glorious name” (Isa. 63:11b-14).

When the people of God were experiencing the Lord’s manifest presence, it was a time of great power and awesome deeds from the Lord’s hand. Moses and the time of the Exodus was always the prime example of this for the people of Judah. The Israelites passing through the waters of the Red Sea was a continual reminder of God’s great power employed on their behalf. His presence was clearly with them, and provided for them, even in the midst of difficult times.

It is easy for us to miss the main point of this passage, and the story of the Exodus. It was not primarily about Israel or Moses . . . it was about God and His power and grace. Isaiah points this out twice in this passage. The miracles of God on behalf of Israel were done: “to gain for Himself everlasting renown,” and “to make for Yourself a glorious name.” As we seek the Lord’s presence and the joy of revival, it is vital that we remember this is not for us to just have a good time in the Lord. It is all about Christ receiving even greater glory and honor as He blesses His people with His presence.

Lord Jesus, how we long to see You receive honor and glory among the nations. Do a mighty work within us so that Your name will be glorified. We do not seek to be recognized. Instead, we want You to be celebrated! Show us ways that we can continually point others to You.