CHAPTER 16
The Son of Man is led, bound with ropes and shackles, to the council of Jerusalem. He is then beaten countless times. The more He is beaten the more His light dims, with every step He takes, blood flows. This star is then led to a tree. The Son of Man embraces this tree, almost as if He has chosen it Himself. Long nails are driven through his hands and feet.
With anguish, the Son looks at the open skies. As He breathes His last, the Son of Man cries out: “It is finished!” Suddenly the scenery is changed. This time the star is surrounded by twelve dormant stars. The star then gently breathes on each of them, giving new life, and with this ... behold ... new stars are born. Suddenly the audience is restored to their normal sight.
With this Jesus, with untold compassion, looks over the crowd as He cries out, “Observe and see, for each of you are as one of these dormant stars, for I AM the one that baptizes with the Holy Spirit and fire. Unless a man is born again he will not see the Kingdom of Heaven.”
CHAPTER 17
Trumpets sounds, with this God and all the Angelic hosts of heaven assemble in the heavenly places.
“Gabriel!” “Yes my Lord,” the faithful messenger of the Lord replies. “Now take the Seed I have shown you, for this Seed will find root in Mary’s womb, He will become flesh with voice and deliver my message...” “Yes, my Lord,” Gabriel responds. Gabriel descends to a little town called Nazareth. It is in the early hour of the morning. Firstly the little latch of the window moves slightly and there is a little rustle. Light starts to peek through the thin lines between the spaces of the wooden window. The messenger speaks: “Mary?” Still half asleep, she ignores the call of Gabriel. “Mary!” Mary awakes.
Gripped with fear, the favored daughter of Zion listens to the messenger of God. “Mary, highly favored of the Lord, I have come to bring good tidings, for you shall conceive a male child. It is of Him who has been prophesied by Moses, that after he comes a prophet in who’s counsel and might the heavens and the earth were found, and without Him, nothing was found. He shall be called, Wonderful Counsellor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, even
Emmanuel.”
Mary, still a bit afraid, answers Gabriel, “How can this be, since I have not been with any man?” Gabriel takes a small Seed from his heavily guarded bosom, “This Seed Mary, this Seed will find root in your womb by your word.” Mary replies: “Let it be so according to your word my lord.” Gabriel reaches over to Mary’s womb, and so he speaks, “So be it." In a sudden moment, the most intense burst of light explodes in the room.
For the first time, Mary sees images flash through her mind. First, she sees a small seed, and then this seed is deeply planted in ready soil. Next, she sees a small seedling. This seedling then grows in stature. As time matures, she sees nine fruits form on seven stems. She asks herself, what could be the meaning of this?
Gabriel, standing by, says unto Mary: “For now, Mary, you know in part, but the fullness of this great mystery will unfold with the life of the olive tree. Furthermore, Mary, set out to visit Elizabeth, for she was barren, but even now she is with child. This is the one whose voice is crying in the wilderness:
“Make straight the way of the Lord.” This one will be the Christ and the other His prophet.” With these few words, Gabriel leaves Mary’s presence.
CHAPTER 18
It is the next day, Mary sets course to Elizabeth, she thinks to herself, what would come from this good word. For the messenger of God did indeed announce a male child from Elizabeth’s womb too, one, the Son of God and the other His prophet. Not quite sure what Elizabeth’s response would be, thinks to herself, this one thing is for sure, there shall be much joy unspeakable!
As Mary arrives at her destination, Elizabeth runs to Mary. As Elizabeth sees Mary, the babe inside her womb leaps with Joy!
Nine months has passed. Who will give account on their behalf? For it is the time of the census, and they must go to Bethlehem to be counted. As Joseph and Mary make their journey to the Promised Land, Joseph, for a moment looks into the eyes of Mary, and lets these few words out: “I love you!”
As Joseph and Mary are about to enter the vicinity of
Bethlehem Joseph speaks: “Mary, my wife, why do you look so troubled? Is it time?” “Yes, Joseph. See whether you can find lodging.
Surely the time is now!” In a hurry Joseph makes his way to the only open lodge at this hour of the night. Joseph approaches the open door. “Woman!” he cries out to the one standing nearby, “my wife is in her time and we need a place, quickly!” The woman just frowns, “My dearest, there is no place for you here, neither will another take you and your wife in at this hour in this way. But I tell you, see deep down in the valley, yes, down this road, you will find a stable. I know it is not a suitable place for a child to be born, but there is a manger with enough straw for the baby to lie in and a fire a kindle warmly, I will attend shortly. Go now! I hope this helps!” Joseph makes his way back to Mary.
“Mary, hurry, I have found a place.” The shimmering light of the stable pierces the darkness.
“This is the place Mary!” “Joseph, quickly, let me lie down in the stable.” Joseph, not sure what is happening, takes Mary in both his strong arms and helps her to lie down on the stable floor.
It is evident from the sound of hooves and rattling of metal braces that this is indeed a stable, yet so small in size. Mary is not quite sure what to expect. She is experiencing intense labour pains, that which cannot be described in human terms. With much pain indescribable, The Kingly child is born.
“Is anybody here?” A moment later the woman that spoke at the lodge makes her entrance into the stable. “Give the child to me.” The way she handles the child speaks of one who is truly a mother. She places the kingly Child onto the soft tender hay. “It is done! But it is not finished,” Mary whispers to herself.
CHAPTER 19
A soft coo, then a loud cry comes from the kingly Child. At this point, men dressed in apparel which is rugged and worn, make their way into the stable. The shepherds are drawn to the warm light of the little fire that kindles. This is the place where the One that has been promised is to be found.
“Whom are you seeking?” the woman asks. The humble shepherd gives an answer to the call of the woman. “We are here to seek the One, the One that was promised. For see, we were standing in the field, and in the brilliance of light spoke to us an Oracle of God. Saying that we are to find the Child promised by the mouths of the prophets through the ages and that He is the true shepherd!” “So then, come in,” the woman responds.
The shepherds start to hum a hymn: Silent night, holy night, all is calm and all is bright, round yon virgin mother and child, Holy infant so tender and mild, sleep in heavenly peace, sleep in heavenly peace, silent night, holy night, shepherds quake at the sight, Glories stream from heaven afar, heavenly hosts sing halleluiah, Christ the savior is born, Christ our savior is born, silent night, holy night, Son of God, love's pure light, radiant beams from thy holy face, with the dawn of redeeming grace.
Jesus Lord at thy birth, Jesus Lord at thy birth,
Halleluiah! Halleluiah! Halleluiah! Christ the Saviour is born.
In this graceful warm atmosphere, men from another world walk into the open space of the manger, three men dressed in a fashion that truly reflects wisdom. “Is this the One?” the wise man prompts the other one standing next to him... “Yes, this is the One,” the young shepherd boy speaks.
“We have come from the far corners of the earth to bring honor and praise to the One, even a King. Forsee, according to our calculations, we have seen the star from afar. It has been a long journey.
Surely now we know this night a King is born.”The three wise men lay their gifts at the foot of the crib: Gold for Kingly Rule, Incense – the sweetest fragrance known to man, and Myrrh, the taste of Kings, yet bitter to the belly.