We are only a few short weeks away from celebrating the birth of our Lord – the promised Son that would be “God with us”.
Over the next few weeks, many of us will attend parties, wrap gifts, prepare meals, give presents, make trips, visit family, spend time with friends, go see light displays, and much more! It can be easy for us to get lost in the “holiday hubbub”, and for this season to pass us by like a whirlwind. One day we are preparing for Christ’s birth and then the next thing we know the year is over…
But it doesn’t have to be that way. Amongst your “busy”ness and your plans, you can stop and pause. You can reflect and rejoice.
Join me in slowing down for a minute…
Stop and think about God’s promise of a son that would one day come…
As we get into all of the functions and festivities of this season, let us remember and proclaim the good news that God has indeed kept His promise to us. The Lord came to His people, becoming a man, born as a baby, lived as the obedient Son, rescued us from sin through His death and resurrection, and now dwells with all those who believe in His name.
Recall the words of Isaiah 12:1-6,
You will say in that day:
“I will give thanks to you, O Lord, for though you were angry with me,
your anger turned away, that you might comfort me.
Behold, God is my salvation; I will trust, and will not be afraid;
for the Lord God is my strength and my song, and he has become my salvation.”
With joy you will draw water from the wells of salvation. And you will say in that day:
“Give thanks to the Lord, call upon his name, make known his deeds among the peoples, proclaim that his name is exalted. Sing praises to the Lord, for he has done gloriously; let this be made known in all the earth. Shout, and sing for joy, O inhabitant of Zion, for great in your midst is the Holy One of Israel.”
Because the Lord has fulfilled His promise, we can shout and sing for joy – great in our midst is the Holy One of Israel!
Great is He, Immanuel, God with us.
May God richly bless you in His Son,
Dr. Aaron George Glover