I eagerly checked off the days on the calendar, looking forward to the event with great anticipation. I selected clothes for the weather, purchased new hiking shoes, considered what I would need and packed everything carefully. This was my first major trip abroad and every action was performed in anticipation of the activities I would be engaged in while traversing the cities and countryside of Japan.
As we enter the last month of the year, we are also in a period of anticipation. This is the season of expectation. The days and weeks ahead lead up to the event that changed the world 2,000 years ago. The prophesied and long awaited event that the faithful looked forward to in great anticipation--the birth of the Messiah. The King from the Davidic lineage who would deliver Israel from bondage and restore it to its former glory. People thought this King would come and throw off the Roman rule, but God had in mind a much bigger picture.
This King would come to deliver his people not from a political bondage, but from the bondage of sin and darkness. This freedom was purchased not just for the Israelites, but for all people. It started with his miraculous birth in Bethlehem, when he came as the Lamb of God to be the perfect sacrifice that would save his people from their sins. And it continues today, as we anticipate the day when he will return in power and might, the Lion of the tribe of Judah, to establish the Kingdom of God on earth and his throne shall remain forever.
Blessings to you in this Advent season as you ponder who it is that came and worship who is coming again!
For further reading on Messiah:
The Lord swore to David a sure oath from which he will not turn back: “One of the sons of your body I will set on your throne. (Psalm 132:11 ESV)
But you, O Bethlehem Ephrathah, who are too little to be among the clans of Judah, from you shall come forth for me one who is to be ruler in Israel, whose coming forth is from of old, from ancient days. (Micah 5:2 ESV)
And they sang a new song, saying, “Worthy are you to take the scroll and to open its seals, for you were slain, and by your blood you ransomed people for God from every tribe and language and people and nation, and you have made them a kingdom and priests to our God, and they shall reign on the earth.” (Revelation 5: 9-10 ESV)