The Son of Righteousness Has Risen With Salvation In His Wings!

Pulling into my driveway one afternoon, I was elated to see one of my very favorite birds, the Great Blue Heron.

I proceeded cautiously exiting my van in a way as not to startle and slowly approach my friend to get a better glimpse of this spectacular bird.

I was amazed at just how close I was able to venture without him taking flight.  As I took pictures and videos, I intentionally pushed the limits so that I could see this glorious creature take flight.

In flight, the Great Blue Heron has an identifiable shape and wingbeat that lends to the ease of identifying this bird from far distances.  It curls its neck into a tight "S" shape while its legs trail behind under its broad and rounded wing span.

My visitor inevitably flew off into the sunset.  This image conjures up the scripture of Christ's glorious entry as the  "sun of righteousness" who will possess healing in His wings.

Malachi 4:2-3

But for you who fear my name, 
the sun of righteousness shall rise with healing in its wings.  You shall go out leaping like calves from the stall.  
And you shall tread down the wicked, 
for they will be ashes under the soles of your feet,
 on the day when I act, 
says the LORD of hosts.

The arrival of Christ was ushered in, not only with the brightness of the star guiding and directing the way, but with the birth of John the Baptist, who ushered in the expected era spoken of in Luke 1:76-79 (ESV study Bible note).

And you, child (John the Baptist) 
will be called the prophet of the Most High;
 for you will go before the Lord to prepare his ways, 
to give knowledge of salvation 
to his people in the forgiveness of their sins, 
because of the tender mercy of our God, 
whereby the sunrise shall visit us from on high 
to give light to those who sit in the darkness 
and in the shadow of death, 
to guide our feet into the way of peace."

As if the "S" curve in the Great Blue Heron's neck was signifying  the "salvation" of God's people mentioned in this prophetic image given by Malachi, so the entrance of John the Baptist's wild and curious life was a dileberate forshadowing of the arrival of the Christ child.

I find it somewhat curious that the scientific species name of the Great Blue Heron is herodias.  Recall, that Herodias was the wife of Herod who had John the Baptist executed by influencing her daughter to request his head delivered on a platter.

The genus of the Heron's name, Ardea, means fire.  Both of these names, fire and Herodias remind me of both John the Baptist and Elijah the prophet.  Interestingly enough, Malachi continues on in chapter 4 to link these two prophets to the Great Day of the LORD.

"Behold, I will send you Elijah the prophet 

before the great and awesome day of the LORD comes.  

And he will turn the hearts of fathers to their children 

and the hearts of children to their fathers, 

lest I come and strike the land with a decree of utter destruction."

This prophecy declares the love of our heavenly Father toward his sons and daughters through the salvation provided through the birth of Christ.

What a great and awesome reality that God came down to rescue each of us and save us from utter destruction.

Finally, we foresee the final glory of God's people in Isaiah 60:1-3

Arise, shine, for your light has come, 

and the glory of the LORD has risen upon you, 

and thick darkness the peoples; 

but the LORD will arise upon you, 

and his glory will be seen upon you.  

And nations shall come to your light, 

and kings to the brightness of your rising.

Jesus' arrival on this earth was bright and glorious.  The angels, the star, the shepherds and all of creation declared his arrival.  The God man rode on thick darkness to offer salvation and hope to a condemned world.

He bowed the heavens and came down;

thick darkness was under his feet.  

He rode on a cherub and flew;

he came swiftly on the wings of the wind.  

He made darkness his covering, 

his canopy all around him, 

thick clouds dark with water.  

When we allow the glorious reality of the condescension to brighten our hearts and minds in a new way, we too become bright and glorious.  God's plan is for others to come  to see  our glorious king through the light that is shed abroad in our hearts and shines forth for all to see.

Abba, thank you for loving us and caring for us in our depravity and broken, dark state as a loving and kind Father.  Thank you for turning Your tender heart toward us and causing us to turn toward you and receive salvation through Jesus.

Use our lives this Christmas season to shine forth the light and brilliance of our glorious King!  

Teach us to fear Your name!