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Do you see what I see?
Friday, December 26, 2014
Second Day of Christmas
Acts 7:56
Behold, I see the heavens opened and the Son of Man standing at the right hand of God.
Do you hear what I hear? In the Christmas song, there’s a remarkable string of being which starts with the night wind, moves through the little lamb to the shepherd boy and finally into the palace and mind of the king. And it’s the king who shares the good news with people everywhere.
The good news is seen, then heard, and finally known. “The child, the Child, sleeping in the night: he will bring us goodness and light.” The vision becomes believable as it is held up by the king.
Not many listen that closely to the night wind. Very few of us spend much time getting to know the wisdom of the lamb. And shepherd boys are mostly seen but not heard.
It’s the king who gets the attention, who gets the press, who has the credentials to be believed. What if the king had said, “I see the heavens opened and the Son of Man standing at the right hand of God?” He would not have been stoned for his words, as was Stephen.
In fact, just three hundred years after Stephen was killed by a mob, Roman general Constantine saw a cross in the sky emblazoned with the words, “Conquer under this.” Or so the story goes. When he became the emperor of Rome he legalized the Christian religion, a tribute perhaps to the vision he had of victory.
Moments when the skies open are rare but sweet. Inevitably in the aftermath, the lamb, the shepherd boy, the king, you, me … we all become wiser, more loving, more patient with suffering. What is it that brings us this peace and perspective? What was it for Stephen? He saw the one who held him in eternal embrace and was certain of his existence and his love. And so are we.
Of course an epiphany like this does not reduce to a few simple words. It rises into life as far more real than any other part of reality. But it is also more personal, a gift for the one who is touched. We might choose to speak of it in time; but like Mary, it is also good for us to ponder these things in our hearts … and for the most part, to be silent.
It is not important that I understand, Lord, only that I open my eyes and ears, and know you are the Source of all vision. Let your face shine upon your servant; save us all in your kindness. You are rock and fortress. Let us rejoice and be glad in your mercy forevermore.
http://www.christiancounselingservice.com/archived_devotions.php?article_id=1321
