Christmas Eve Candle Light service 2007, Reflection

 

 

My name is Raphael, and I stand and serve in the presence of the one Most-High. I am more like flame than I am like flesh.

 

Favored one’s, what you celebrate this season, is something my kind marvel at- we wish to delve deeper - we can only observe, we cannot experience. For, we are more like fire than like flesh.

 

I was there that night. It was I who spoke those words my kind must always speak, when we appear to you - “Fear Not!” But the next words were newly crafted, never having been spoken from the beginning of time, bursting from my chest and into the cold clear air of your world, as if the had a life of their own- “For I bring you good news of tremendous joy, which is for all the people- in David’s town, a Savior has been born to you, Christ the Lord.”

 

You see my kind rule the universe, and the world’s which inhabit the universe, at the bidding of God most high. The one who rules your world, was most favored of all in the counsel of hosts - he was most beautiful, and glorious, he was like light itself. But pride was found in him, and he lead many in open rebellion against the most high. Ages before your kind were called into existence, a great battle was fought- the one who was like light and his army were defeated, cast down and sealed up in the air of your world, never able to venture out into the universe or participate in the great dance.

 

Other worlds declare His glory, day after day and night after night, dancing in joy through the universe around His throne, enjoying his presence, basking in His life – but yours, your world is silent and dark, sealed up, turned in on itself. Even in our language, we name your world Darksilence. The one who was like light, who rules your world with an iron fist, tricked your first parent’s into disobedience, and captured all of what you understand as creation, subjecting it to the futility and silence of death.

 

Oh, but friends- that night, the ancient plan, was brought forth- for the Three in One and the One in Three sent the Son, to become one with you. The Glorious One who called the universe into being, was about to be born a fleshling.

 

He who is above all, did not send a subordinate to un-work the darkness and break the silence of death. The Word himself came, flashing through the blackness, and piercing the silence in the cry of a new-born baby.

 

The staggering mystery of this is too amazing for my kind. We can only call out, “Glory!” to the one Most High for what he has done. For it means peace has entered your world, light has dawned and darkness has fled, and death’s silence is rolled up and tossed aside by the words another of my kind spoke, “He is Risen!”

 

Your world is no more only dark, nor is it only silent- You are no longer sealed up and turned in on yourself, for your savior, who is Christ the LORD has been born.

 

I am Raphael. I am more like flame than I am like flesh. I stand and serve in the presence of the most-high God. A God whose flesh bears the scars of victory, victory that won your peace.

 

“Glory to God in the Highest, and on earth- peace to all upon whom His favor rests.”

 

 

 

For those who wish to listen (mom)...