Now war arose in heaven, Michael and his angels fighting against the dragon. And the dragon and his angels fought back, but he was defeated, and there was no longer any place for them in heaven. And the great dragon was thrown down, that ancient serpent, who is called the devil and Satan, the deceiver of the whole world—he was thrown down to the earth, and his angels were thrown down with him. And I heard a loud voice in heaven, saying, “Now the salvation and the power and the kingdom of our God and the authority of his Christ have come, for the accuser of our brothers has been thrown down, who accuses them day and night before our God. And they have conquered him by the blood of the Lamb and by the word of their testimony, for they loved not their lives even unto death. Therefore, rejoice, O heavens and you who dwell in them! But woe to you, O earth and sea, for the devil has come down to you in great wrath, because he knows that his time is short!”
(Revelation 12:7-12 ESV)
Christmas is war. We like it's warmth and peace and joy. But behind it all is a battle that the Incarnation presumes: Satan rebelling against the LORD and His Anointed, and waging that war on earth, in unseen ways. That is not depressing; Christ is the Victorious warrior. We can count on Him to win. But the battle is real and ongoing. Let us not be lulled to sleep.
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