Sunday, December 18, 2011

An-ti-ci-pa-tion!!

....No, not the ketchup commercial, the coming Messiah; for thousands of years people lived in expectation of His arrival. Every Jewish maiden hoped she would be the one to bear the Deliverer. Prophets told of the circumstances of His birth and then silence fell over the land…not another word was heard for 400 years.

 The silence was broken by visits from the Angel Gabriel, first to Zacharias and then to a young Jewish girl named, Mary.  The messenger brought word--earth-shaking news—and His name was Jesus. An old barren woman conceived a son who would be the one to prepare the way of the Lord; A young virgin conceived before her marriage and traveled to Bethlehem with her husband, Joseph because of the census ruling; Shepherds witnessed, Simeon saw the Lord’s deliverer just as God promised, and, Anna saw with her own eyes and told everyone of the great news; Jesus the messiah was born in Bethlehem.
Rumblings of the promise ripple outward, for nothing is impossible with God. The Savior has come.
We celebrate Christmas and remember the story of the anticipated messiah. Yet, there is more to the story. On December 26th the songs on the radio are hushed, paper and bows are on the discount racks, and Christmas is silenced for another year. Yet, prophets told of His coming…again.
Promises are made for His kingdom reign. And we are the ones with the good news that must be given to all who will listen. Jesus is coming again. Is your heart prepared to make room for Him as King of Kings and Lord of Lords?

Wishing you all a wonderful week as you prepare for His coming,


Jeanne




6 comments:

  1. Although the first coming of Christ was expected, no one looked for a King in a baby, born in a stable. As surely as He came the first time, ready or not, He is coming again. We will do what we can to tell the good news and pray for listening ears to grasp God's amazing love and obey His call.

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  2. So much truth, Sue! Simeon could easily have missed him; instead of a kingly crown or a deliverer's sword, He wore only swaddling clothes.

    How much we miss when we don't recognize Him for who He is and see His hand in our lives.

    Blessings to you,
    Jeanne

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  3. "26th the songs on the radio are hushed, paper and bows are on the discount racks, and Christmas is silenced for another year." - So very true. We should live each day watching and expecting that glorious second coming, spreading the good news in the meantime.

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  4. How wonderfully put, Jeanne! And I did not know or I forgot about the 400 year silence.

    Yes, we are preparing for the return of the Messiah!

    God bless you!

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  5. Jeanette & Jean,

    Thanks for stopping by.

    Such a wonderful time of contemplation--His story is so full of truths for today!!

    Merry Christmas,
    Jeanne

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  6. Jeanne,
    Thanks for sharing your post. So glad the joy of the Lord is not just for Christmas day. Every day is a gift of joy when we are yoked to Jesus.
    Have a blessed Christmas.
    Glenda

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