REJOICE, THE LIGHT HAS COME!

By Curtis Dean (based on Gen. 32:24-30; Num. 22:35; 24:17; Matt. 2:1-12; etc.)
The Angel of the Lord to Jacob, Gen. 32:28
"And he said, Thy name shall be called no more Jacob, but Israel, for as a prince hast thou power with God and with men, and hast prevailed..." KJV
Pagan prophet Balaam speaking as ordered by the Lord.
Num. 24:17 "I shall see him, but now now: I shall behold him, but not nigh: There shall come a Star out of Jacob, and a Sceptre shall rise out of Israel..." KJV

Rejoice, rejoice, the Light has come, has come from Jacob's seed,
For Jacob wrestled with the Lord and he did intercede;
Once a schemer and cheater, too, he now was turned around,
Jacob became a "prince" with God, for Israel persistence found!

Centuries passed, there seemed no hope midst gloom and great despair.
They thought Messiah would surely come in power and with great flair.
Instead, the light of that natal star reached men in distant lands.
They came to see the Holy Child, the "Son of God" and "Son of Man".

"The Savior," He was born to be, to take our sins away,
He lived, and died, and rose again that sin should not hold sway.
And now in Heaven, He's waiting soon to call His Bride away.
The dead in Christ and we who live will certainly obey!

The Marriage Supper awaits us, "Come and dine!" we'll hear Him say.
But there's so much more to happen as we await a glorious day:
A day when Christ returns in power to rule and reign on earth;
For the "Scepter shall rise from Israel", He's the One of lowly birth!

What a day of jubilation, when Christ will sit upon His throne,
And we'll be with Him, yes, forever! And we'll never from Him roam!
Kings of earth will come and worship; all of earth will then adore.
"Peace on earth, good will to men," the angels need no more implore!

God used a pagan prophet this message to proclaim,
It's strange, but true, for Balaam held all Israel in disdain.
But speak he did, the Lord had told him, "Speak only what I tell!"
And when the Spirit came upon him, he spoke words that we love well!

'Twas the Christ Pre-Incarnate who met Balaam long ago;
And now, it's Christ Incarnate whom the Magi came to know!
So at this Christmas, ignore the glitz and glamour all around,
For He, "The Purpose of the Season", must in your heart now be found!

(C) Curtis Dean, 11/30/2010