chapter two: Events before the Nativity

Chapter twO

Events before the Nativity

Heaven Prepares for the Son of Man’s Descent

The life of Christ is the earthly unfolding of a life written by God for One who was to bear God’s very name and image— Jesus Christ—who also came to do His will and complete His work. The source and essence of that life was heavenly, but its heavenliness was concealed—not because it had to be so, but because of man’s inability to understand divine things or to see divinely. Life’s heavenly nature was concealed from man until the day his spiritual eyes would be opened and he could perceive such things for himself. Once he could see them, he would become a partaker in them. The heavenly blessings of that life came for man’s good; for they are ultimate truth, and truth always draws in and embraces every person who understands it.

Heaven and earth joined hands to prepare for the coming of Christ; each element and constituent of the cosmos played a role in the great drama. And this synthesis of all things is one of the most excellent things to contemplate, for it reveals a divine plan in the unfolding of all things, as well as God’s love for man. This also furnishes to man the bright hope that life will find its happy conclusion in Christ; and this hope also consoles man and recompenses him