Sunday, December 20
Luke 1:26-38
The Lord God will give Him the throne of David, His father. (Luke 1:32)
It’s almost Christmas! That thought can fill our hearts with anticipation. We might look forward to seeing friends or family. We can’t wait to see the look on a loved one’s face when they open the gift we carefully chose. Or we just want to enjoy celebrating Jesus’ birth with our brothers and sisters in Christ.
But think about the anticipation that the Jews felt as they awaited the coming of the Messiah! Their hope was kindled almost one thousand years before Christ, when God promised David a kingly lineage. Imagine as well, Mary’s surprise when the angel described the Son she would bear by using nearly the same words that God had spoken to David so much earlier. He would be called Son of the Most High, He would sit on the throne of His father, David, and He would reign over an eternal kingdom (Luke 1:26-38). Israel’s long wait was over – the birth of Jesus would bring about everything they had hoped for.
As modem-day Christians, we don’t experience the Jews’ yearning for a Messiah, but we can still feel the ache of longing. For peace . For justice. For security. Jesus is the fulfillment of these yearnings too. When conflict – on a large or small scale -threatens to tear us apart, Jesus offers reconciliation and the chance to live once more in peace with God and our neighbor. When injustice breaks our hearts, Jesus tells us He has come to make all things right and to give us the strength to make things better in our own corner of the world. When insecurity makes us feel as if nothing ever remains the same, Jesus reminds us that His kingdom is everlasting; He gives us a sure foundation to build our lives on.
That’s the kind of fulfillment that the Kingship of Jesus can bring. That’s what He promises. And that’s a gift we can all receive this Christmas.
”Jesus, You are the fulfillment of all my longings! I love You, Lord!”
2 Samuel 7:1·5,-8·12, 14, 16
Psalm 89:2-5,27,29
Romans 16:25·27
Daily Reflections from “The Word Among Us”
Recorded music remains the property of the Artists/Writers.
No ownership is implied
Our Hymns:
O Come Divine Messiah
O Come, O Come Emmanuel – Anna Hawkins
I Am the Bread of Life / Yo soy el pan de vida – University of Notre Dame Folk Choir
In the Bleak Midwinter – David Phelps
