Advent SundaysSample

1st SUNDAY OF ADVENT: STOP. PAUSE. REFLECT.

NOTE: IF USING AN ADVENT WREATH WITH CANDLES: Light the first purple candle (left to right) and now we have “hope” in Jesus! There are various traditions according to culture.

The birth of Jesus was prophesied some 700 years prior.

“Therefore, the Lord Himself will give you a sign. Behold, the virgin shall conceive and bear a son and shall call His name Immanuel.” Isaiah 7:14

Let us stop and pause, as we reflect on the fact that the birth of our Savior was prophesied seven centuries before the fulfillment came. I find it interesting that Isaiah was also born in Jerusalem, Israel. Isaiah lived faithfully before the Lord, and we have the account of the vision he saw of God in chapter six. What he saw was life-changing, and he immediately felt that he was an unclean man. A seraphim (angelic being) touched Isaiah’s lips with a hot coal from the altar and deemed that his sins were atoned for.

Then Isaiah heard the voice of the Lord saying, “Whom shall I send? And who will go for us?“ And he said, “Here am I. Send me!”

God gave specific words that Isaiah was to speak to the people as His messenger. God knew the people of Judah were deep into their sin and rebellion, and that they would not receive Isaiah's warnings about God's coming judgment.

In comparison, let’s think of the shape the world is in today spiritually. People are still deep in sin and rebellion and refuse to receive the warnings of what is to come. The scriptures foretold the first coming of Jesus as a human to earth, and we see that fulfilled in the New Testament. Scripture also forewarns us that Jesus will return to gather those who accepted Him.

As a believer in Jesus as our Savior, let us rejoice this day, this week, and this entire month over the fact that the prophetic word of Isaiah was indeed fulfilled. Jesus is alive and well and lives in and through those who have accepted Him!

LET US CELEBRATE: For the next five days, collect nonperishable items and put them in a decorated box or bag. On Saturday, the sixth day, take them to a charitable food pantry to share with others this Christmas season.

PRAYER: Father, thank You for the prophetic word to forewarn people of what is to come. Thank You that the Word was fulfilled in the birth of Your Son, giving us eternal hope! In Jesus’ Name. Amen.