A Merry “Revelation” Christmas

When I envision Christmas (minus the Santa Claus crapola) my mind reflects on Luke 2:1–7 which depicts Joseph taking refuge in a manger, along with Mary who just gave birth to Jesus next to stinky animals (which in hindsight is very unsanitary!).

Fortunately Mary didn’t have to repeat this with her other kids (yes, Jesus had half brothers & sisters according to Mark 6:3 & Matthew 13:55–56), however the manger scene is perhaps the dominant perception of “the first Christmas,” at least in the western world.

Revelations (chapter 12, verses 1–5) seems to portray a different (& much more violent!) perspective, full of the usual allegories sprinkled with awesome.

“And there appeared a great wonder in heaven; a woman clothed with the sun, and the moon under her feet, and upon her head a crown of twelve stars:”

“And she being with child cried, travailing in birth, and pained to be delivered.”

“And there appeared another wonder in heaven; and behold a great red dragon, having seven heads and ten horns, and seven crowns upon his heads.”

“And his tail drew the third part of the stars of heaven, and did cast them to the earth: and the dragon stood before the woman which was ready to be delivered, for to devour her child as soon as it was born.”

“And she brought forth a man child, who was to rule all nations with a rod of iron: and her child was caught up unto God, and to his throne.”

Christmas was/is a portrayal of evil attempting to devour good, with good evading demise with a promise of finally conquering evil for all future time (the good being Jesus Christ).

With that violent imagery dominating the frontal lobes of my brain, I’d like to wish everyone a Merry Christmas & a Happy New Year! :-)

Image Credit: Art created by Pat Marvenko Smith of Revelation Illustrated fame, (copyright: 1992 to present).