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"Abiding in Christmas: Daily Advent Thoughts" by Bryan Craig

DAY TEN

In the year that King Uzziah died, I saw the Lord sitting upon a throne, high and lifted up; and the train of his robe filled the temple. Above him stood the seraphim. Each had six wings: with two he covered his face, and with two he covered his feet, and with two he flew. And one called to another and said: “Holy, holy, holy is the Lord of hosts; the whole earth is full of his glory!”

And the foundations of the thresholds shook at the voice of him who called, and the house was filled with smoke. And I said: “Woe is me! For I am lost; for I am a man of unclean lips, and I dwell in the midst of a people of unclean lips; for my eyes have seen the King, the Lord of hosts!”  Then one of the seraphim flew to me, having in his hand a burning coal that he had taken with tongs from the altar. And he touched my mouth and said: “Behold, this has touched your lips; your guilt is taken away, and your sin atoned for.”

And I heard the voice of the Lord saying, “Whom shall I send, and who will go for us?” Then I said, “Here I am! Send me.” (Isaiah 6:1-8)

I am a big fan of Charles Dickens' classic story “A Christmas Carol.” I think the scene where Scrooge meets the Ghost of Christmas Present must have been inspired by this experience Isaiah had with the Lord. Dickens depicts this spirit high on a throne, overseeing a big banquet, and the image is such a feast for the eyes that Scrooge’s mind cannot grasp it. 

I don’t think we understand the power of the holiness of our King of kings. When we stand at His throne, we, like Isaiah, will most likely feel woefully inadequate and sinful. Yet, our gracious King has atoned for our sins and takes away our guilt. He invites us to the great banquet at the King’s table, but He also has missions for us to do, if we are willing to go for Him.

APPLICATION: When you come before Jesus, do you stand in awe of His holiness and the fact that He allows you to be a part of His plans and purposes? Does it make you fall to your knees in repentance, begging for mercy? Worship Him, receive His forgiveness, and then ask Him what you can do for Him this Christmas.