God comes to us in unexpected ways. Our problem is that we are looking for him according to our expectations. This is one of the lessons of Christmas: God came to nation which eagerly longed for his coming, prayed for his return, and placed all their hopes in his presence. Most of the nation of Israel missed the hour of his visitation. Is this simply history, or is it a Christmas parable for our day? Is it possible that we could miss God when the Holy Spirit decides to visit us?
God’s Frailty: A Christmas Parable
The people of God known as Israel had looked for a “day of visitation” for at least 500 years before the coming of Jesus. The nation remembered the golden age of King David a thousand years before the days of Herod, the counterfeit king. David was the prototype of God’s chosen vessel, a unifying and conquering King who established Israel in peace, security, and prosperity. After David’s reign many the prophets began to anticipate a day when Yahweh, the God of Israel, would not rule through a representative king. Instead, God would come personally, take his place on earth and establish Jerusalem as the pinnacle of the earth.
