Our waiting is over! Today we celebrate the of the birth of our savior. Just as the prophets foretold, Jesus was born to a virgin in Bethlehem through the lineage of David. A bright star led kings and shepherds there to bestow him with gifts and adoration.
Isaiah’s prophecies of the birth of the Messiah had been written about and studied for almost 700 years before the angel came to Mary, informing her that she would give birth to the son of God. Can you even imagine what must have gone through her head at that moment, or how Joseph must have felt when Mary told him? Yet God knew of his perfect plan and how all the pieces would fall into place. It is amazing to read the Old Testament prophecies and realize how accurate they turned out to be.
Unlike the bright lights and cheer of Christmas, the season of advent is typically marked by waiting and anticipation in the darkness. Traditionally in the third week of Advent, we emphasize our joy in the waiting; the joy in knowing that we worship a sovereign, good God who is returning to fulfill his promises to us.
These are the darkest days of the year. Not only in the regard that we have less daylight just before winter solstice, but the darkness of the world tends to creep in this time of year. For millions of people Christmas is not “the most wonderful time of the year.”
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