The first
Sunday of Advent we prepared
our hearts for the coming
of Christ, and our hearts were filled with the hope of the promise of His coming to this lost and fallen
world.
The second
Sunday we were challenged to spread the love of Christ in this season; He is the reason for the
season. When we share His love, we are His light to lead the world to Him.
The Third
Sunday of Advent we breathed in one of the greatest promises in the Word—joy—His
Joy. The arrival of the
incarnate Lord was a joyful event—the angels could not suppress their joy at
His arrival, how much more should we rejoice?
In this last Sunday in Advent, as we are preparing to give
and to receive gifts, we remember the ultimate gift ever given; all gifts this
season pale in comparison.
God, who first
ordered light to shine in darkness, has flooded our hearts with his light. We
now can enlighten men only because we can give them knowledge of the glory of
God, as we see it in the face of Jesus Christ
(2 Corinthians 4:6 J.B. Phillips).
The glory of
God in the face of Christ; this is the greatest gift. When I remember how
broken and lost I was; how deep in bondage I was to sin, it amazes me that the
Father sent His only Son to set me free. He came to redeem us and to reconcile
us to the Father. He
came to dwell with us. He has given us many wonderful gifts and many
precious promises (see
2 Pet. 1:4), but of all His gifts, none is greater than the gift of His Son
Jesus. In giving us His Son He gave us himself.
I traveled to
Israel many years ago, and I walked through the shepherds fields in Bethlehem.
I tried to imagine a stable, and where it may have stood. I thought of Joseph
and Mary, and the baby Jesus. How he slipped into the world quietly in the
night. Stable animals were his company. Humble shepherds came and worshiped. A sense of wonder came over me as I imagined
the angels appearing to announce the greatest gift that would change the world
forever, and celebrating His arrival.
Remember, our Message is not about ourselves;
we’re proclaiming Jesus Christ, the Master. All we are is messengers, errand
runners from Jesus for you. It started when God said, “Light up the darkness!”
and our lives filled up with light as we saw and understood God in the face of
Christ, all bright and beautiful (2 Corinthians 4: 5-6 Message).
My Scribbling....
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