The Dragon: The Manger's Most Alarming Guest


Shepherds at the manger scene is radical. Caesar Augustus as a key player in the Christmas story is unpredictable. Perhaps the most unusual guest at the manger scene is the 
most unexpected of all. It's not Mary, of course she's 
there. Joseph did what he could to make a stable as comfortable as possible. The Babe wrapped in swaddling clothes is there. The scene is incredibly humble, and would also be serene if it weren't for that dragon.
What's this? You don't have a dragon in your manger scene? 
Let me assure you he's there.

"The dragon stood in front of the woman who was about to give birth, so that it might devour her child the moment he was born. She gave birth to a son, a male child, who 'will rule all the nations with an iron scepter'."
Revelation 12:4-5 NIV

One night all was quiet. Outside of some shepherds who got the inside scoop no one really knew the night was any different than any other. (You can check out the shepherds in my blog from 3 days ago. You'll be glad you did.) The devil knew this was no ordinary night. As Heaven held its' breath, the enemy planned to kill the baby before the plan could be carried out. He would end up working through Herod, who would kill all the male babies age 2 and under in an effort to kill Jesus. It's a horrifying turn of events, but Joseph is warned in a dream and escapes to Egypt.

The Bible teaches us that "Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today, and forever." (Hebrew 13:8) The devil doesn't change much either. His plan is still the same, "to steal, kill, and destroy." (John 10:10) He was unsuccessful with Christ though, and he'll be unsuccessful with you. 

“You, dear children, are from God and have overcome them, because the one who is in you is greater than the one who is in the world.”
1 John 4:4 NIV

"No weapon forged against you will prevail, and you will refute every tongue that accuses you. This is the heritage of the servants of the LORD, and this is their vindication from me,” declares the LORD.” Isaiah 54:17 NIV

Don't let the dragon at the manger frighten you. Rather, be encouraged knowing that our Savior has overcome, and so will you.

“In all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us.”
Romans 8:37 NIV

Following the Son,
James A Williams

 (Note: The woman of Revelation 12 is not specifically Mary, but more the nation of Israel. Christ was born of a virgin and also came through the Hebrew people)

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