The Mystery Hidden for Ages
Revelation 21:3 ESV
Behold, the dwelling place of God is with man. He will dwell with them, and they will be his people, and God himself will be with them as their God.
Ephesians 3:1-12 NRSV
This is the reason that I Paul am a prisoner for Christ Jesus for the sake of you Gentiles—for surely you have already heard of the commission of God’s grace that was given me for you, and how the mystery was made known to me by revelation, as I wrote above in a few words, a reading of which will enable you to perceive my understanding of the mystery of Christ. In former generations this mystery was not made known to humankind, as it has now been revealed to his holy apostles and prophets by the Spirit: that is, the Gentiles have become fellow heirs, members of the same body, and sharers in the promise in Christ Jesus through the gospel. Of this gospel I have become a servant according to the gift of God’s grace that was given me by the working of his power. Although I am the very least of all the saints, this grace was given to me to bring to the Gentiles the news of the boundless riches of Christ, and to make everyone see what is the plan of the mystery hidden for ages in God who created all things; so that through the church the wisdom of God in its rich variety might now be made known to the rulers and authorities in the heavenly places. This was in accordance with the eternal purpose that he has carried out in Christ Jesus our Lord, in whom we have access to God in boldness and confidence through faith in him.
William Barclay
Toscanini was one of the greatest orchestral conductors and interpreters of music in the world. Once when he was talking to an orchestra when he was preparing to play one of Beethoven’s symphonies with them, he said: “Gentlemen, I am nothing; you are nothing; Beethoven is everything.” He knew well that his duty was not to draw attention to himself or to his orchestra; his duty was to obliterate himself and his orchestra and to let Beethoven flow through.
Leslie Weatherhead somewhere tells of a talk he had with a public school boy who had decided to enter the ministry of the church. He asked him when he had come to his decision, and the lad said he had been moved to make it after a certain service in the school chapel. Leslie Weatherhead very naturally asked who the preacher had been, and the lad answered that he had no idea who the preacher was; he only knew that Jesus Christ had spoken to him that morning. That was true preaching; for he who serves Christ can never think of making others look at himself and praise himself; he must make them look at Christ. The tragic fact in churches is that there are so many who are more concerned with their own honor and prestige than with the honor and the prestige of Jesus Christ, and who are more concerned that they should be noticed than that Christ should be seen.[1]
THE TWELVE DAYS OF CHRISTMAS
On the twelfth day of Christmas, my true love gave to me twelve drummers drumming.
The Twelfth Day of Christmas: Twelve Drummers Drumming
The twelve drummers drumming represent the twelve points of doctrine in the Apostles’ Creed, which summarizes the core beliefs of Christianity.[2]
THE APOSTLES CREED
I believe in God the Father Almighty, Maker of heaven and earth.
I believe in Jesus Christ, his only Son, our Lord, who was conceived by the Holy Spirit, and born of the virgin Mary. He suffered under Pontius Pilate, was crucified, died, and was buried; he descended into hell. The third day he rose again from the dead. He ascended into heaven and is seated at the right hand of God the Father Almighty. From there he will come to judge the living and the dead.
I believe in the Holy Spirit, the holy catholic church, the communion of saints, the forgiveness of sins, the resurrection of the body, and the life everlasting.
Amen.
Spirit of God,help my infirmities.
Help me to walk the separated life with firm and brave step, and to wrestle successfully against weakness. Teach me to laud, adore, and magnify thee, with the music of heaven, and make me a perfume of praiseful gratitude to thee.
I do not crouch at thy feet as a slave before a tyrant, but exult before thee as a son with a father. Give me power to live as thy child in all my actions, and to exercise sonship by conquering self. Preserve me from the intoxication that comes of prosperity; sober me when I am glad with a joy that comes not from thee. Lead me safely on to the eternal kingdom, not asking whether the road be rough or smooth. I request only to see the face of him I love, to be content with bread to eat, with raiment to put on, if I can be brought to thy house in peace. Amen.[3]
Wise Men Still Seek Him
If you have found this meditation helpful, take a moment and give thanks to God. Then share what you learned with a friend. This is how the grace of God spreads (2 Corinthians 4.15).
[1] The Daily Study Bible, The Letters to the Galatians and Ephesians, p. 147.
[2] https://www.dynamiccatholic.com/advent/twelve-days-of-christmas.html
[3] “Weakness,” The Valley of Vision, p. 103.
