From the Pulpit: Prepare Him room

The whole world was waiting for the coming of the Messiah. The prophets of old had proclaimed His coming, the promises had been repeated so many times down thru the ages. It has been 400 years since the last time God had spoken to his people. And everywhere, people were holding their breath, anticipating the moment when God would pull back the curtain of heaven and step into our lives again.

But as mankind watched, God dropped some hints to people of what was about to happen. Joseph and Mary obviously knew, also Elizabeth and Zechariah. Both had been visited with Angels and Elizabeth and Mary were now carrying the yet unborn children in their wombs. But some lesser players were being brought forward.

The most familiar, the shepherds who were out watching the sheep. Perhaps the wisemen that saw the star, and began a journey of many miles and several years, that would lead them to find the Savior. But I love that God also spoke to some we don’t sing songs about today.

It was to Anna, a widow who spend most of her time in the temple, that God used to proclaim that this is the answer to all the prayers over the years. She watched the young couple bring the child, then she came up to them and began to speak to any who would listen. She first gave thanks to God, then “spoke about the child to all who were looking forward to the redemption of Israel.” Luke 2:40

Any my favorite, Simeon, an old man that was promised he would not die until he said the Messiah. God had stirred his heart that morning, and he went to the temple, scanning the crowd, looking for a young couple with a child. When he saw Joseph and Mary, he approached them, asked to hold the child, took him in his arms and began to worship.

Then he stopped, looked up to heaven and said, “Sovereign Lord, as you have promised, you now dismiss your servant in peace. For my eyes have seen your salvation, which you have prepared in the sight of all people.” Luke 2:28-31 

Today, 2,000 years after the first Christmas, we are waiting again. For the second time God will open the windows of heaven and once again send his Son to us. The greatest Christmas of all, celebrating the one who changes everything.

Merry Christmas … and God Bless.