CHRISTMAS MESSAGE

CHRISTMAS MESSAGE: VISITORS FROM OTHER WORLDS
By Granville H. Ampong

I have just awoken to a clear but black midnight of windy, chilling December of Los Angeles. One of the first to rise, I am alone in the balcony of my small apartment cradling a mug of steaming soy-chocolate, in fact leaning against the rail and breathing in the crisp air as I gaze skyward at the sheer brilliance of a star striking from the east. All is perfectly still … except for one small spot of white cloud. I watch it closely. I realize how fast such cloud disarms my sight, making my eyes squint at the almost unblemished horizon. Then, a thought about global warming flashes in my mind.

But forget global warming!

What about these visitors from other worlds? Have they not beckoned as “inconvenient truth” to many?

Have you ever had the feeling of being watched all the time?

One British scientist said that each time he scans the starry heavens on a black night he senses that they are watching --- could be thousands ---millions of them gazing across the millions of light years, looking at us, wondering what on earth we are up to.

While no scriptural authority has anointed scientists as the guardians of the mystery (which goes its own way, anyhow), discernment should prompt one to combat imbecilities or stupidity in his/her own believing. Perhaps, one’s treasury must be the Scripture. However, a genuine Scripture-believer cannot afford to convert oneself into non-discerning, in the theorists’ delicate phrase.

To some, this may sound intelligently inflated - but ridiculously suggested.

One of the perks being discerning truth-seeker is that it affords one to know that popular hypothetical theories could create perceptions that might be mistaken for reality.

But consider this: “Thousands of millions of planets in the same galaxy as earth could be supporting intelligent life,” suggests Maxwell Cade, a famous British Scientist who won the Royal Aeronautical Society’s Navigation Prize. Nonetheless, “the earth may well be one of the youngest intelligent communities in the galaxy --- with all that implies.”

Whatever the reason, Cade further supposes that at least four million stars of ten million in our galaxy could be inhabited suggesting, therefore, that all we need to do now is to make contact with them or wait until they contact us.

“Contacting them,” nevertheless, “ might be difficult because the older races of the cosmos must have attained intellectual heights which are completely beyond our comprehension,” he added.

Four million stars in our galaxy --- all inhabited? Conversely, if each had as many people as our own world, we could have more than 12 trillion neighbors looking over our back fence!

Did you know that Hebrew wise men knew long ago what scientists are only just now discovering?

Three thousand five hundred years ago, one of the most ancient of all Bible books, Job, recorded the searching questions addressed to the patriarch by God: “Where was thou when I laid the foundations of the earth when the morning stars sang together, and all the sons of God shouted for joy?” In fact, the Book of Revelation confirms the latter statement when extorting; “Rejoice then you heavens and you that dwell in them.”

Meanwhile, Dr. Jacques Forcier, a noted skeptic in his own right and a distinguished graduate from Oxford University ( who happens to be my college professor ), believes that civilizations with scientific interests and with the technical possibilities much greater than those available to us exist among the stars. He further suggests that these beings may, even now, be trying to reach us.

Rightly so, the Bible says nothing about “little green men” or spying Martians, or flying saucers. But, it does talk about celestial visitors called “angels.” In fact, each Christmas one remembers how a song of angels announced Messiah’s birth (Luke 2:13). What about the angels who ministered to Christ after His temptations in the wilderness and those who rolled away the stone from the mouth of His tomb (Matthew 28:2)?

Then there was Christ Himself. Had not ancient writers predicted that He would be a visitor from another world? His “goings have been from of old, from everlasting” (Micah 5:2). Another called Him “Immanuel” which means “God with us” (Isaiah 7:14 & Matthew 1:21). John , the Baptist, was sure in his standing, declaring: “Before I was born, He already was” (John 1:30).

Did not the supernatural voice speak from heaven when Jesus was baptized in the river of Jordan saying, “This is My Beloved Son in whom I am well pleased” (Matthew 3:17). Were not there three witnesses, Peter, James and John who climbed to a mountaintop and saw their Lord in dazzling majesty and heard a voice saying the latter statement (Matthew 17:5)?

What about the fantastic claims this Galilean carpenter had said: “I have come down from heaven”(John 6:38)? Without reservation, he further declared, “In every truth I tell you, before Abraham was born, I am,” (John 8:58).

Have you not considered the evidence Jesus gave to substantiate His claims?

He must have been all He claimed to be before the whole tenor of His life echoes with the ring of authenticity. Suffice it to say, dazzling series of fulfilled prophecies as fortified by doubt-defying supernatural phenomena surely revealed His power over the elements of decay when Lazarus was brought back to life. Notwithstanding, as noted by the prophets, the miracle of His birth was matched by the miracles of his death and resurrection. In fact, the miracle of His resurrection merged into the miracle of His ascension. And as His disciples watched, “he was lifted up and a cloud removed Him from their sight” (Acts 1:9).

Whether those disciples of Jesus saw what they said they did see or lied when they said what they saw, sufficient historical evidence shows that they were genuine and correct in their statements. In fact, they asserted the truth of their remarks until their dying moments.

At a later date, a Moslem mosque was built on the brow of the Mount of Olives, on the traditional site of the ascension. Strange footprints in the rock inside this enclosure are supposed to be the imprint of Christ’s feet. Such story seems too fantastic to believe. Most important, it is surely enough to suggest that beings from “outer space” must have already been on earth --- “an inconvenient truth” to many!

Will Christ and the rest of His angels, other than the said ministering angels, come back to earth again?

Jesus said He would. In fact, His famous promise still stands: “I go to prepare a place for you, and if I go, I will come again” (John 14:1-3). And when he returns, “all the holy angels” will be “with Him” (Matthew 25:31).

How will He return? Notice the exciting details given in the Scriptures : His return is personal --- “this same Jesus” (Acts 1:9-11); visible --- “Every eye shall see Him” (Revelation 1:7); brilliant --- “like the lightning shining from east to west” (Matthew 24:27); audible --- “and He shall send His angels with a great sound of the trumpet” (Mathew 24:31); glorious --- “in His own glory, and in His Father’s and of the holy angels” (Luke 9:26); unexpected ---“in such an hour as ye think not” (Matthew 24:27); powerful --- “the elements shall melt with fervent heat, and the earth including the works that are therein shall be burned up” 2 Peter 3:10).

When Christ - that royal Visitor from another world came to earth about 2,000 years ago, nobody was ready - even though the ancient Scriptures had announced His coming. No marching bands nor glittering parades ever welcomed his birth, nothing but save a few shepherds on the hills, three wise men from an eastern land, a star in the sky, and someone who said they heard angels singing. Absolutely nothing! Save a dirty cattle stall --- bleating sheep, the stench of it all, for there was no room in the inn available.

Gazing the starry heavens across millions of light years on a black night surely challenges one’s believing with mystery and wonder.



But, will history repeat itself when Jesus Christ comes the second time? Perhaps that age could be excused. Maybe they did not know, but we do - now.

Meanwhile, as I sip my soy-chocolate, the fleeting moments etched into my
memory. I smile in anticipation of what next unexpected wonder this Christmas will bring.

Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year!