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.
Before the Archives building in Washington, there is a statue by Robert Aiken. It is the seated figure of a woman; a large book in her lap is opened at the last page, and on the pedestal are chiseled these words: “All that is past is prelude. The future begins now.”
Christmas is empty and void of meaning unless we can experience it in the present tense. So often our lives are paralyzed because we fail to see that the Unfolding Drama of Christmas is an everpresent one. With the whole world as a stage, God comes again and again to bring light and life to men. Daily He yearns to be born within our hearts. All too often our hearts and minds are unreceptive because we are living in the past. God invites us to join Destiny’s march, but we clutch the past. He invites us to adventure; He offers to fill our days with the dimensions of eternity; He offers to make us actors in this greatest of dramas, but we choose to ignore His coming, because we are still living in the past.
Let us turn our attention to Christmas in the Past. 
When the prophets foretold the coming of the Messiah, we knew that the Christmas drama was underway; the trumpets had sounded. How can we ever forget’s Mary’s sweet song of praise when she was told of having been chosen to birth Jesus. At the appointed hour, one named John stepped onto the stage of history and heralded the Saviour’s coming. As good Joseph and Mary wended their way from Nazareth to Bethlehem, we comprehended, as never before, Destiny’s march. Then the Divine Playwright Himself entered the matrix of history in the form of a little babe, a holy babe who was destined to be King of kings and Lord of lords. Even the stars converged to illumine Bethlehem’s stable. The common men and the men of letters alike came to pay homage to the new King. In a very real sense, the world fell down and worshipped Him.
O Great and Eternal Father, our hearts well up with praise and thanksgiving as we approach the manger once again. Here in this child we see the hopes and dreams of all the years coming to fulfillment. Here in this simple cattle bam we see the sanctity of common things. We see, in this child of Mary, how far you did stoop in coming to earth to reveal yourself to us. We praise you, o God, for this glorious drama of your coming, and the blessed assurance that you do come still if our hearts are receptive. With the angels of old we would sing, “Glory to God in the highest!”
…And it came to pass in those days, that there went out a decree from Caesar Augustus, that all the world should be taxed… And all went to be taxed, every one into his own city. And Joseph also went up from Galilee, out of the city of Nazareth, into Judaea, unto the city of David, which is called Bethlehem; (because he was of the house and lineage of David:) to be taxed with Mary his espoused wife, being great with child. And so it was, that, while they were there, the days were accomplished that she should be delivered. And she brought forth her firstborn son, and wrapped him in swaddling clothes, and laid him in a manger; because there was no room for them in the inn.