The Great Dragon at Christmas

While out and about during Christmas, I enjoy seeing all the fantastic nativity scenes of Jesus's birth on people's lawns, in houses, businesses and churches. But I cannot help but notice something missing in all these nativity scenes.

What is it you ask? It's a great red dragon trying to devour baby Jesus.

Where do I get this? There is no dragon in the birth narratives in Matthew or Luke, so what am I talking about? I'm talking about Revelation Chapter 12!

Here's an overview of Revelation 12: In the heavens, a pregnant woman appears wearing a crown of 12 stars and gives birth to a male child. This child is "one who is to rule all the nations" (Rev. 12:5). A great, red dragon also appears. This dragon tries to devour the baby boy that is born. The 12 stars symbolize God's people, Israel (the 12 tribes), and the promised Messiah that comes from them. The evil dragon gives them chase, but God rescues them. This baby boy, the Messiah, is highly exalted to his throne, where he now rules. After this, those who trust in the Messiah are also pursued and attacked, but they stave off the evil dragon. But with it comes suffering and, at times, heavy loss.

Revelation Chapter 12 is Christmas from a cosmic, supernatural perspective. The great red dragon (Satan with his subjects) throughout history has been playing a futile chess match with God, trying to gain the upper hand. Always attempting to avoid inevitable defeat. But to no avail. Try as he might, the dragon couldn't win this chess match with God and the seed of the woman (Genesis 3:15). Its pinnacle came on that silent and Holy night when Jesus, the Messiah, was born. As promised, the tides turned there, and the ancient serpent's ultimate, inevitable defeat had finally come.

The Savior of the world was born! God the Son became a human being to win back his people! The dragon resisted by sending his subjects to devour him (Matt. 2:13-18). But the dragon missed his chance at Bethlehem that night. He chased this child and harassed him for another 33 years. He even tried to tempt the Messiah in the desert. But there would be no victory for the great red dragon. At the right time, on the cross, the dragon does indeed kill him. But the so-called "victory" was short-lived. Jesus rose from the dead on the third day! Winning his people's freedom from the clutches of sin, the dragon and eternal death! The resurrected Jesus shattered the chains that held humankind down. Those held hostage to the dragon were forever free from his claws.

God's final crushing blow in the cosmic war began in a manger in Bethlehem. Invisible to humanity's eyes, the Light and dark battled for the fate of humankind. That battle continued to the cross, outside Jerusalem on Good Friday, where the Light threw down the ruined dragon that had oppressed and accused humanity for so long, vanquishing him by the blood of the God-man, born of a virgin, God's perfect lamb.

While the dragon wanted to devour this perfect, vulnerable infant in that manger, he utterly failed. The great red dragon received more than he bargained for on Christmas morning. For his efforts, he received broken teeth, a silenced voice and utter defeat. Victory belongs to Jesus Christ and God's people!

The Nativity is a picture of a supernatural war raging behind the veil. While battles still rage, the war is already won! We may struggle today with pain and suffering and endure loss. Still, the dragon's time is short (Rev 12:17)! Focus on Christ, the Alpha and Omega, the One who will soon come to make everything right! Jesus was born and has won our salvation, providing us with strength and everlasting hope for the future.

Take heart; Jesus Christ has won and now sits on His throne. He promises that he will come again soon to make all things new. The dragon is as good as dead, the baby is alive, and you are free and victorious in Christ! No matter where you find yourself, take some time to reflect on this truth! Happiest of holidays to you and a very Merry Christmas!

Jamie Negus is the associate pastor at Grace Fellowship in Hartley.