Why This Theme?
The Dawn From On High - Part One
Thursday, November 28
I love a good theme. My children remember their birthdays not because of what age they turned, but by the theme of their birthday party that particular year…Teddy Bear Picnic, Space, Legos, Doctor’s Office, Knights and Princesses, Puppies…everything from the invitations to the food to the games and party favors embraced and conveyed the theme.
God obviously loves a good theme as well; Redemption being chief among many we see throughout the historical redemptive narrative. Light is a strong melodic theme throughout Scripture, indicating life and guidance, but most importantly, the Lord’s presence. From the very beginning, when God said, “Let there be light, and there was light, He declared light good. He separated light from the darkness, calling the light day, and the darkness “night. There was an evening, and there was a morning: the first day.” (Gen.1:3-5)
We see God’s promises of comfort through the prophet Isaiah: “The people who walked in darkness have seen a great light; those who dwelt in a land of deep darkness, on them has light shone.” (Isaiah 9:2) Then after 400 years of what must have felt like utter darkness and silence from the Lord to His people, the priest Zechariah -geriatric first time father to John - proclaims that the Light of the World is about to step down into their darkness! This from a man who had been made mute by the angel Gabriel after not believing that God could create a special child in his aged wife, Elizabeth’s, womb. Zechariah had almost a year to sit in silence, listening to the LORD and others, reading and rereading the prophets who confirmed Gabriel’s words. Zechariah took that time to prepare…he didn’t miss it, and prophesied:
“Because of our God’s merciful compassion,
The Dawn From On High will visit us
to shine on those who live in darkness
and the shadow of death,
to guide our feet into the way of peace.”
(Luke 1:77-79)
The One who spoke light into existence and called it good.
The One who led the Hebrew slaves out of Egypt, through the Red Sea and throughout the wilderness.
The One who had been promised since the Fall in the Garden of Eden.
The Dawn From On High was on His way!
I love how this song by Matt Papa, Matt Boswell and Michael Bleecker captures the mystery of The Dawn From On High coming to earth.
Come Behold the Wondrous Mystery
Matt Papa, Matt Boswell and Michael Bleecker 2012
Come behold the wondrous mystery, in the dawning of the King
He the theme of heaven’s praises, robed in frail humanity
In our longing, in our darkness, now the light of life has come
Look to Christ, who condescended, took on flesh to ransom us.
Come behold the wondrous mystery, he the perfect Son of Man
In his living, in his suffering, never trace nor stain of sin
See the true and better Adam, come to save the hell-bound man
Christ the great and sure fulfillment of the law, in him we stand.
Come behold the wondrous mystery, Christ the Lord upon the tree
In the stead of ruined sinners hangs the Lamb in victory
See the price of our redemption, see the Father’s plan unfold
Bringing many sons to glory, grace unmeasured, love untold
Come behold the wondrous mystery, slain by death the God of life
But no grave could e’er restrain him, praise the Lord, He is alive
What a foretaste of deliverance, how unwavering our hope
Christ in power resurrected, as will we be when he comes.