Can you feel the anticipation as we await the coming of our Lord on the day of His birth? The people of Israel waited over 5000 years for the coming of their Messiah, and in all that time, they misunderstood.
It is hard for us to judge the perspective of a people who had been dominated and oppressed by every great empire of their time. It makes sense that they were awaiting a great general to smite the Roman Empire. Yet they had been so far separated from the original promise of redemption, given to mankind at the time of the Fall of Adam and Eve.
As your homework, as we prepare for Christmas, take a look at Genesis 3:15. Redemption and final victory was promised to our ancestors. However, that victory more than over an evil empire of oppressors was over the greater scourge of sin and death.
In a way similar to our forebears, we are thousands of years separated from the promise made to us, that one day Christ will come again to judge the living and the dead. This isn’t a threat, we don’t need to fear like those looking toward Armageddon and Rapture. No instead, we should use what remains of Advent, and even of our lives to truly prepare for the promise we await.
That promise is eternal union with God in Heavenly Jerusalem. Let us pray that we prepare well our hearts, homes, and families for what we ultimately await.
God Bless and have a prayerful last few days of Advent.