Advent: Annunciation

This post is a little late, but better late than never right? Here is an Advent meditation that Brian wrote for our church, celebrating the first Sunday in Advent (December 2).

Annunciation

Today we worship Christ by looking and meditating on the annunciation of his coming. His advent was foretold by the prophets. All of history finds its center in the word becoming flesh and dwelling among us. Today, as we break away from the traditions of this world, may we remember and honor God by recognizing and exalting in these words recorded for us in Scripture.

The beloved disciple, under the inspiration of the Holy Spirit, got a glimpse back before history to see the preeminence of Christ. He writes these words in the first chapter of the gospel of John verses 1 through 5. In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was in the beginning with God, All things were made through him, and without him was not anything made that was made. In him was life and the life was the light of men. The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it.

More than seven centuries before these words of John, the prophet Isaiah, under the inspiration of the Holy Spirit, was allowed a glimpse forward to prophecy the most scandalous and glorious event in all of history: the God of the universe wrapping himself in flesh and being born of a virgin. In the book of Isaiah, chapter 7 verse 14, he records the words of the LORD to king Ahaz, “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 continues to speak the word of the LORD and to give us the messianic prophecies of chapter 9. The people who walked in darkness have seen a great light; those who dwelt in a land of deep darkness, on them has light shined…For to us a child is born, to us a son is given; and the government shall be upon his shoulder, and his name shall be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. Of the increase of his government and of peace there will be no end, on the throne of David and over his kingdom, to establish it and to uphold it with justice and with righteousness from this time forth and forevermore. The zeal of the LORD of hosts will do this.