24 December

Even angels long to look

“They were told that their messages were not for themselves, but for you. And now this Good News has been announced to you by those who preached in the power of the Holy Spirit sent from heaven. It is all so wonderful that even the angels are eagerly watching these things happen.” 1 Peter 1:12

This passage is talking about the prophets who prophesied about the grace that was to be ours (vs 10). Moses, Elijah, Isaiah and all the other Old Testament prophets were speaking about things we now see and understand. The prophets foretold of the Messiah, the son of David, the suffering servant. The prophets were anticipating a greater future hope, a new covenant reality. 
Jesus said to his disciples, “Blessed are your eyes..and your ears...Many prophets and righteous men desired to see what you see, and did not see it; and to hear what you hear, and did not hear it" (Matthew 13:16-17).

We now have the complete revelation of God in Christ in the Bible, preserved and given to us by his Holy Spirit.
God's plan of salvation for the whole world was put into effect through the earthly work of God's incarnate Son, Jesus (Eph 3:11). 

This is the joy we get to celebrate at Christmas! God's saving grace has been revealed (Titus 2:11); the Good News of forgiveness and new life came through Jesus' life, death and resurrection. 

And even angels long to understand, looking on with great interest (1 Peter 1:12b), fascinated by God's work of redemption. 
This Christmas, may we also be full of wonder, in awe of God's redemptive plan, and experience a deeper understanding of what a precious gift our salvation is.

Kathy Bond