by Dorette Saunders
“O Come, O Come Emmanuel…”
For many people, this beautiful advent carol ushers in the Christmas season like no other. It offers a glimpse of a change in the world with the entrance of Jesus, the promised Messiah, whose birth was prophesied in the Scriptures.
Think about how prophecies spoken hundreds of years ago have been, and are still being, fulfilled. We know that in every circumstance, God has the final word because whatever God declares will come to pass.
“…my word that goes out from my mouth:
It will not return to me empty,
but will accomplish what I desire
and achieve the purpose for which I sent it.
(Isaiah 55:11, NIV)
Thank God for that!
The Christmas story, with the birth of the Christ Child to a young virgin named Mary, was prophesied by Isaiah roughly 700 years before its fulfillment.
“Therefore the Lord himself will give you a sign: The virgin will conceive and give birth to a son, and will call him Immanuel” (Isaiah 7:14, NIV)
“Immanuel” (sometimes written as “Emmanuel”) means ”God with us.” God, who from “generation to generation” is God (Psalm 90:2), and whose presence has always been with us, chose that moment in history to robe himself in human form (John 1:14), and come to earth.
When Mary received the message from an angel that she would be the mother of God’s Son, in humility and obedience, she responded:
“I am the Lord’s servant,” …. “May your word to me be fulfilled…” (Luke 1:38, NIV).
Mary did not know all that her “baby boy” would accomplish in his life time. She did not fully understand how Jesus would save his people from their sins. But God did—and it came to pass.
Similarly, we do not know all that will come into our lives in this season. However, this we do know. God chose to come to us in human flesh. God chose to love us although we did not know him or love him. Yet, our God, prophesied and fulfilled his word so we would understand—firsthand—just how much he loves us.
Christmas is a reminder of the love God has for us and the promises that God made—about loving us with an everlasting love (Jeremiah 31:3) and giving us the best gift ever--
“For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life” (John 3:16, NIV).
We joyfully celebrate Christmas, the birth of Christ, because God promised …and it came to pass.
PRAYER: O come, O come Emmanuel! Sow seeds of peace, Lord, and let them sprout to end conflict among us. Plant oaks of righteousness and justice in our path that we may not ignore the plight of those who need our help. Remind us, Lord, to stay joined to the vine, for it is there that we are sustained, and all that we long for will come to pass. In Jesus’ name we pray. Amen.
©M©dytations 2023