First Baptist Church Arlington, Texas - glorifying God by following the Jesus way

		Glory Revealed! The Christmas story is a story filled with glory! As the story unfolds, we find the drama being played on at least three stages: a cosmic stage, a global stage and a local stage. The local stage is filled with familial and approachable references. Who can’t understand a family struggling to make responsible decisions? Joseph is an anxious groom-to-be who receives some disturbing news just prior to his proposed wedding. Mary’s family is pondering the future as well. Who knows how much of the community was involved in the affairs of these two families? Luke gives us the details of the extended family relationships as Mary visits her cousin, Elizabeth during her pregnancy. Mary stayed for about three months with this side of her family. Again – we can identify with this part of the story. A young, pregnant girl seeking advice and comfort from an older, trusted family member is something that makes sense to all of us. Again – this story is so approachable. The global stage of this story includes a Caesar, a King, wise men, religious leaders and a local Governor. Matthew and Luke both clue in their readers that this is no ordinary birth story! Caesar Augustus plays a role in this drama by requiring the Jewish population to be counted for taxation purposes. Wise men travel across the ancient world to pay homage to the baby King. King Herod adds to his already infamous legacy by ordering the murder of hundreds of Jewish babies. This is a global story. The cosmic stage of this story includes angels, miracles and heavenly displays! The wise men are guided by this mysterious star that signals the birth of a new King. Mary knows that she is a virgin, yet she is truly going to have a baby. Zechariah receives a heavenly visitation in the Temple and he is speechless! Elizabeth, an old woman, has her first baby and he is the announcer of the Messiah! Joseph receives heavenly affirmation that he will play a role in prophetic fulfillment. Angels make strategic and timely appearances. A young bride-to-be, an old priest, an anxious carpenter and a group of shepherds all are visited by angels. Each time, the angel will say, “Don’t be afraid!” Are you kidding me?? Angels are scary! Why? Because they are so . . . angelic! This is a story of God’s glory being revealed to this earth. Wow. Glory to God! Blessings, Dr. Dennis Wiles Senior Pastor

Glory Revealed!

The Christmas story is a story filled with glory!

As the story unfolds, we find the drama being played on at least three stages: a cosmic stage, a global stage and a local stage. The local stage is filled with familial and approachable references. Who can’t understand a family struggling to make responsible decisions? Joseph is an anxious groom-to-be who receives some disturbing news just prior to his proposed wedding. Mary’s family is pondering the future as well. Who knows how much of the community was involved in the affairs of these two families?

Luke gives us the details of the extended family relationships as Mary visits her cousin, Elizabeth during her pregnancy. Mary stayed for about three months with this side of her family. Again – we can identify with this part of the story. A young, pregnant girl seeking advice and comfort from an older, trusted family member is something that makes sense to all of us. Again – this story is so approachable.

The global stage of this story includes a Caesar, a King, wise men, religious leaders and a local Governor. Matthew and Luke both clue in their readers that this is no ordinary birth story! Caesar Augustus plays a role in this drama by requiring the Jewish population to be counted for taxation purposes. Wise men travel across the ancient world to pay homage to the baby King. King Herod adds to his already infamous legacy by ordering the murder of hundreds of Jewish babies. This is a global story.

The cosmic stage of this story includes angels, miracles and heavenly displays! The wise men are guided by this mysterious star that signals the birth of a new King. Mary knows that she is a virgin, yet she is truly going to have a baby. Zechariah receives a heavenly visitation in the Temple and he is speechless! Elizabeth, an old woman, has her first baby and he is the announcer of the Messiah! Joseph receives heavenly affirmation that he will play a role in prophetic fulfillment.

Angels make strategic and timely appearances. A young bride-to-be, an old priest, an anxious carpenter and a group of shepherds all are visited by angels. Each time, the angel will say, “Don’t be afraid!” Are you kidding me?? Angels are scary! Why? Because they are so . . . angelic!

This is a story of God’s glory being revealed to this earth. Wow. Glory to God!

Blessings,

Dr. Dennis Wiles
Senior Pastor