ADVENT

Listen to me, you stubborn people! You are far from doing what is right. But I am close to making things right. Salvation will not be delayed much longer. I will bring salvation to Zion and to my wonderful Israel.  Isaiah 46:12-13

The noun advent is defined as, the arrival of a notable person, thing, or event. In the religious realm, it refers to the coming of the Messiah--the one who would bring salvation to the world.

When the prophet Isaiah spoke these words, he did not know the person Jesus, but he did know the message that God placed in his heart. His was the advent message of a hope to come for redemption of those who had fallen. He was speaking a message of repentance to the people of Judah, but this message was also to the entire world and for future generations. Isaiah 49:7 says, But I have something else for you to do that is even more important: I will make you a light for the other nations. You will show people all over the world the way to be saved.

Take time to read the whole chapter of Isaiah 49 to see all the ways in which Christ Jesus fit the bill of the chosen Messiah. I especially like verse 15, But the Lord says, Can a woman forget her baby? Can she forget the child who came from her body? Even if she can forget her children, I cannot forget you.

We are His babies, created in His image. God did not forget His children. He sees and hears the moanings of our hearts and souls. He sees sin’s sickness. But He would one day come as a baby Himself, to make all things right. Isaiah 7:14 says, But the Lord will still show you this sign: The young woman is pregnant and will give birth to a son. She will name him Immanuel. Immanuel means “God with us,” and we will be able to celebrate God being with us, as a human being, in a few weeks. For now, we wait in anticipation to celebrate Christmas; we look forward to this story of the birth of a Holy King. We remember the events that took place to make history perfect--God’s perfect plan of salvation for all.

Help us God to always remember Your perfect plan. We give You all the praise and glory, Amen.