This is he of whom it is written: "Behold, I send My messenger before Your face, Who will prepare Your way before You." (Luke 7:27)
I can remember when my oldest daughter was pregnant; we went out shopping for clothes and new furniture. We did not want her son to be born and not have a place to sleep of his very own. We did not want to be caught by surprise, especially when we knew the potential due date.
The season of Advent points us all to get ready for the birth of the Lord Jesus. I can imagine what it must have been like to hear the prophets speak about a long-awaited Messiah. The Israelites had been in captivity and looking forward to the day when they would be free from bondage. The prophet Isaiah announced that God would send his servant into the world to suffer for the sins of his people, and to help his people.
Another century went by and the prophet Jeremiah announced a new covenant that God would make with his created beings. He proclaimed that this new covenant would be extended from the least to the greatest. Forgiveness would be offered not only for the nation of Israel, but also for all nations; their sins would be remembered no more.
The prophets gave hope to those who were without hope through their words. Generations passed without the fulfillment of the prophecies. Despite the long period of silence, more than 400 years, there was still great anticipation. Those who believed in the word of the prophets were hopeful and continued expecting that some day the prophecies would be fulfilled. At the appointed time, from the womb of his mother, John the Baptist recognized that Mary was joyfully preparing for the birth of her son Jesus, just as the prophets announced.
Now, 2013 years later, our hope is still in the babe born in a manger. This is the hope of Advent. We have reason to pray that the God of hope will make room in our hearts for Jesus. There was no room for him in the inn, but we can make room for him in our heart. The point of prayer is to have an encounter with God. Knowing that he has come to dwell with us lets us know that he is near. Let him come alive in you.
God bless you!
