That first Christmas

I love hearing stories that tell the first Christmas story from the different perspectives of those who experienced it.  Obviously, we're limited in what we really know about what the innkeeper, or Mary, or even the sheep in the manger felt and saw that night.  It's something fascinating to imagine about, though, and I love when word artists paint the picture for us through song or story. 
One perspective that I wish I would hear more about is that of Heaven's {actually, I've been really interested, lately, in looking at more things from that "heavenly realms" (Eph 6:12) viewpoint}.  Maybe because it's more difficult for our human minds to grasp what Christmas was like in the spiritual realm, we hear less about it?  I'm not sure, but I did actually blog about it two years ago here (scroll down to the "on another note..."section).  I'm not sure if my thoughts are theologically sound, but I believe there's a good chance that they're not completely off-base. 

One of our pastors taught on this topic yesterday morning {you can imagine my excitement as I read the sermon title on the bulletin} and I learned there is more to the Heavenly story than what I imagined...

That first Christmas was a declaration of war.  A declaration of war. I guess it's possible that this sounds morbid, but I love that statement.  Read Revelation 12 and work your way through the symbolism.  When Jesus Christ was born to Mary on earth, Satan set out to destroy.  The battle between God's angelic and Satan's demonic forces was taken to the next level.  I picture a scene resembling one out of Lord of the Rings or The Chronicles of Narnia.  An embrace between a Father and Son.  The Son walking a path to earth, lined with angels, swords raised in reverence and awe.  Angels turning to take their place in the ranks.  On the other side of the battlefield are the demons jeering and scoffing with an "enormous red dragon" poised to sound the battle cry.  Not the typical peaceful Christmas Eve we often picture, is it? 
While we must come to grips with the fact that this war will have casualties, we can rest assured that the victory is, without a doubt, the Lord's.  Because I know this battle is still waging around me everyday {and, I believe, becoming more deadly by the day...as we near the war's end}, this is where I'm choosing to focus this Advent season.