Christmas is our most important holiday, and its literature is correspondingly rich. Yet until now no adequate bundle of Christmas treasures in poetry and prose has found its way onto the Internet for Winter, Christmas, the birth of Christ, Santa Claus, and so much more..The Trumpet Sounds
Behold a young woman shall conceive and bear a son, and shall call his name Immanuel. — Isaiah 7: 14
Each year at this time throughout the world minds and hearts prepare to celebrate the birth of the Christ Child. Christmas for some is just another holiday, another opportunity to over-eat, overindulge and over-spend. There will be others who will get behind the Christmas trappings of tinsel and lights, stars and trees and discover anew the deeper levels of the event.
Although one of the greatest stories recorded in the world, Christmas is not just a story. It is a drama. Webster defines drama as “a series of actions on a stage which have unity, and lead to a final conclusion”.
The Greeks were outstanding dramatists who will ever be remembered for their semi-circular ampi-theatres and captivating drama. The content of the drama usually centered around some national hero, but the dramatist never confined himself to historical figures or episodes. History and legend were intertwined.
Even a cursory study of the ancient Greek drama discloses something of a fixed method of presenting the story. First of all a trumpeter enters the stage and sounds forth a clear, loud trumpet to remind the spectators that the drama is about to begin. There is a pause, and the orchestra then sets the mood for the plot. As the orchestra fades out, an actor takes the stage, reading a proclamation which prepares the spectators for the plot which is to unfold. The drama is then enacted. with all its suspense and excitement, building up to a swelling climax. There is a moment of hushed silence. An actor steps forward, and quietly, like an echo, voices the theme of the plot. The drama is over.
The drama of the Christmas event is an unfolding drama which has, as its stage, the whole world. The author and director of this great drama is God Himself. As a backdrop he uses His blue ethereal sky with countless shimmering white stars. His cast is a strange composition of heavenly beings and common men of earth. The Great Director gathers into his cast even the birds of the air and the animals of the field. Here in this drama the whole of nature is subject to the Director’s command.
Hush! The drama of Christmas is about to begin. The trumpets sound! They sound again!
Sometimes they sound together, sometimes separately, reminding the audience that the drama is about to begin.
The trumpets in the Christmas drama are the ancient prophets who predicted the coming of the Messiah. It would be wrong to believe that Christmas had its beginnings with a Micah, or an Isaiah or even Abraham, for its goes back further, back to the Creator. John reminds us that Jesus existed with the Father even before the foundation of the world. — John 1: 2
The Holy Record makes it clear that God had set his heart upon Israel as a “Special People”. He covenanted with Abraham, promising to bless Abraham and his descendants until the end of time. If this covenant was to have meaning, however, the Israelites had to pledge their loyalty to God, being ready to follow His law. Unfortunately the covenant relationship was broken by disobedience. In every generation God raised up holy men to warn the people of their impending doom if they did not return to the Lord God, but for the most part the people paid little attention, continuing to live as they jolly well pleased.
The Israelites became no strangers to tragedy, not the least of their trials being their painful exile in Babylon. Sometimes God must allow nations or people to flounder and grope in the dark for a time, so that their pride can be broken and their hearts made more receptive to the Divine bidding. The early prophets predicted a Messiah whom God would raise up to deliver the Israelites from their enemies. Before the exile the Israelites waited patiently for a leader who would smash the enemy yoke by force, once and for all. There were those within Israel who knew that they needed more than a military leader to bring victory. Moral decay within was their greatest enemy. There was a need for a leader who would enable them to achieve victory over sin in their individual lives. One thing was certain - the people needed a Messiah who would deliver them not only from their enemies but from their sins as well.
In the unfolding drama of Christmas it is paramount for us to hear the trumpets sounding. Not only do they predict that a Messiah will come, but they also give us some idea of what we may expect. Isaiah presents without doubt the most comprehensive preview of the Messiah.
