The First Christmas in Heaven: Let’s Get Ready!

Every year around this time, I find myself slipping into the familiar rhythms of the Christmas story: Bethlehem, shepherds, angels, mangers, wise men, and all the scenes we’ve come to love. But this year, something stirred in me.

I began wondering: What was happening in heaven?

While we read about the earthly perspective in Matthew and Luke, heaven witnessed the most important moment in human history. When you look at Christmas from heaven’s point of view, the story feels completely different.

Christmas was more than just cozy and sentimental. It was cosmic and strategic. It was heaven declaring war on darkness.

A Heavenly Perspective

For years we’ve celebrated Christmas by focusing on what happened on earth. But imagine, just for a moment, the atmosphere in heaven.

The anticipation.

The intensity.

The strategy.

The holy hush before God unleashed His rescue mission onto the earth.

Christmas didn’t begin with shepherds in a field. It began with God’s decision to save the world.

Before there was a manger, a meeting took place in heaven.

Before the cry of a newborn baby, a divine decree was spoken.

Before the light shone in Bethlehem, heaven was getting ready for a spiritual battle.

The Divine War Plan

Let’s be clear: Christmas is a love story, but it’s also a war story.

The moment sin entered the world in Genesis 3, God stepped forward and issued a divine declaration:

“He will crush your head, and you will strike His heel.” (Genesis 3:15)

That was the first Christmas prophecy.

The first whisper of redemption.

The first announcement of a Savior who would be born—not just to live, but to conquer.

God wasn’t sending Jesus simply as a baby. He was sending Him as a warrior wrapped in weakness, a King disguised in cloth, a Deliverer who would overthrow death itself.

He revealed the plan through Isaiah 7:14—“A virgin will conceive…”

And Micah 5:2—“Out of Bethlehem will come a ruler…”

Heaven didn’t improvise Christmas.

Heaven orchestrated it.

The Role of Angels

Now picture heaven’s boardroom. God begins assembling His heavenly messengers. At the top of that list is one name we all know: Gabriel.

Gabriel receives his mission:

Step one: Announce the forerunner.

Step two: Announce the Messiah.

His first assignment is Zechariah.

Luke 1 tells us Zechariah was righteous, but when Gabriel delivered the news about John the Baptist’s birth, Zechariah responded with doubt.

His words didn’t match God’s promise.

So God muted him, not as punishment but as protection.

Sometimes God has to silence us so we don’t sabotage our own blessing.

Then comes Mary… young, humble, unknown in the world’s eyes but seen fully by heaven.

When Gabriel gives her the news, she doesn’t argue.

She doesn’t overthink.

She doesn’t analyze.

She simply says:

“May your word to me be fulfilled.” (Luke 1:38)

While Zechariah doubted, Mary believed.

While Zechariah questioned, Mary surrendered.

While Zechariah hesitated, Mary came into agreement with heaven.

One posture muted a man.

The other birthed a miracle.

Lessons for Today

As I sat with these passages, I couldn’t help but feel these truths stirring in my spirit:

1. God’s Plans Involve Impossible Obstacles

He chose an elderly couple (Zechariah and Elizabeth) and a virgin teenager (Mary) to launch His redemption plan.

God specializes in the improbable.

He loves to use the unexpected.

Your impossibility is His opportunity.

2. Our Words Matter

Zechariah’s doubt delayed his declaration.

Mary’s faith accelerated God's plan.

In seasons of waiting, disappointment, or uncertainty, we must watch our words.

Heaven listens.

Heaven aligns with faith.

3. Surrender Opens the Door

Mary’s phrase, “May it be to me…”, is one of the most powerful prayers in Scripture.

Surrender is what positions us for supernatural movement.

Preparing Our Hearts

Just as heaven prepared for Jesus’ arrival, I believe we are called to prepare our hearts as Christmas approaches. Not with busyness or pressure, but with the right posture.

Here are a few ways I’m preparing my heart this season:

Read & Meditate on Scripture

Return to Matthew 1–2 and Luke 1–2.

Read them slowly.

Let the wonder rise again.

Fasting & Prayer

Make room for silence.

Make space for God’s voice.

Worship & Reflection

Light a candle.

Turn on worship.

Sit in the soft glow and remember that Light entered darkness… and darkness could not overcome it.

This isn’t just preparation for a holiday.

It’s preparation for a holy visitation.

Conclusion: Christmas Is Calling Us Higher

As I picture heaven preparing for the first Christmas, I’m struck by the purpose, the battle, and the wonder. Christmas was not just a celebration. It was an invasion.

Heaven sent its best.

Heaven moved in power.

Heaven released a Savior into the world.

And now, it’s our turn to prepare.

This year, don’t settle for sentimentality.

Don’t let the season pass you by.

Don’t get lost in the noise of December.

Instead, join heaven’s posture.

Prepare your heart.

Strengthen your faith.

Surrender to God’s plan the way Mary did.

Let this Christmas not just be remembered.

Let it be experienced.

Let’s get ready…

Because heaven is still moving, and the miracle of Christ’s coming is still transforming lives today.