Isaiah 53:2-6 NIV He grew up before him like a tender shoot, and like a root out of dry ground. He had no beauty or majesty to attract us to him, nothing in his appearance that we should desire him. He was despised and rejected by mankind, a man of suffering, and familiar with pain.
“Hurry! Hurry! He’s coming!” I was yelling to my brother to get down stairs. The priest from our Russian Orthodox Church was coming to bless our home for Russian Christmas. This was a big event in our home. Everything in our home was spit-spot. Including us! He would come in all his priestly robes with 2 cantors who would carry large icons on poles. They would all recite a blessing over our home in Russian! We did not understand them, but we knew we better listen as their deep voices in a Gregorian chant sounded so official, and mesmerizing.
Of course I cannot say for sure but I wonder if it sounded similar to the prophets of old. Since they did not have the written Word of God, people of faith depended on the prophets to let them know any revelations God had given them. Long before Jesus was born the prophets foretold His birth, as a result the people were waiting for a savior. Unfortunately, when He finally came, they were sleeping. He is coming again. Will we be found in that same sleepy condition?
Today we celebrate the first Sunday of Advent. Now, this is not a ‘Biblical’ mandated event, but rather a Bible inspired event. It is an event that churches heve used to remind us of the coming of the Messiah and prepare our hearts once again. In Week 1 of Advent the focus is on prophets that told the people of their coming Savior. Many prophets foretold of His birth, and life. Moses Jeremiah, Micah, Zechariah, Isaiah, told the people he would be born in Bethlehem, he would grow us as other children. The prophets also told the people that they would not know He was the son of God. It seems incredulous that they did not recognize Jesus when He came! But hind sight is 20/20.
What the prophets intended to do to a population that had seen so much sadness and poverty, was to instill a ‘hope.’ That is the focus of week one…Hope!
We are at a difficult tome right now in our nation. With the covid virus re-surging, the election not yet settled, and unrest in several areas of the country, we need hope! When we look to the Jesus we know has already come, as He promised, why would we have any doubt that He is coming again? Here are some significant prophesies about His birth;
Isaiah7:14 (NIV) 14 Therefore the Lord himself will give you a sign: The virgin will conceive and give birth to a son, and will call him Immanuel.
Isaiah 9:6 New International Version (NIV) 6 For to us a child is born, to us a son is given, and the government will be on his shoulders.
Micah 5:3-5
Therefore Israel will be abandoned
until the time when she who is in labor bears a son,
and the rest of his brothers return
to join the Israelites.
4 He will stand and shepherd his flock
in the strength of the Lord,
in the majesty of the name of the Lord his God.
And they will live securely, for then his greatness
will reach to the ends of the earth.
5 And he will be our peace
when the Assyrians invade our land
and march through our fortresses.
May the Hope that Jesus brought to earth sto long ago come alive withing our hearts again aas we begin the anticipation of Christ’s birth!
I find it amazing that just the thought of Jesus returning, now brings us hope today! May God bless you with a hope for our soon coming King!
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