Advent anticipates
“The LORD has made proclamation to the ends of the earth: “Say to the Daughter of Zion, ‘See, your Saviour comes! See, His reward is with Him, and His recompense accompanies Him'” (Isaiah 62:11).
What’s the big deal with Advent?
The Bible passage above shows that the prophet Isaiah knew the answer long before Jesus came:
“See, your Saviour comes!”
The coming of the Saviour is a big deal.
Imagine if you were imprisoned on death row.
In that situation, the most important thing to you would be the arrival of a messenger bringing news of your pardon or not.
The arrival of such a pardon would mean life.
The absence would mean death.
Because of the sin we live with every day-
– we face a death sentence unless we receive a pardon.
Advent anticipates our pardon.
Christmas Day celebrates that our pardon has arrived.
Good Friday accomplished our pardon-
-at the cost of Christ’s suffering and death in our place.
Easter announced our pardon.
It is the celebration that we have been set free and the threat of death no longer hangs over us.
But Isaiah’s message is about more than just a pardon.
The Lord promises that we will receive a reward when our Savior comes-
– the riches of His heavenly kingdom.
It is no wonder that Christmas is such a joyous celebration preceded by a season of such expectation.
Thank the Lord Jesus, for the righteous salvation that He brings through the gift of His forgiveness that takes away the burdens of our sin.
(PA)