First Sunday In Advent

Today is Advent Sunday. On this Lord’s Day Sunday, we have come to a very special time for many believers. This is a season which many of us dedicate to the remembrance of our Lord’s First Coming – Immanuel. This day is special to some believers in Christ Jesus for many reasons, but we shall only highlight three of them.

We highlight the special reason of, First

Today is the first day of the week of the birth of a new month. May we all know the birth of some newness, in our hearts and minds.

Today is the first Lord’s Day Sunday to begin all time, in our Advent Celebrations, 2024. Whatever time our Lord has allotted us, in this Season of Advent, may we know worship on this Lord’s Day, in our hearts, minds and entire being. 

Today is the first day that heralds us to the closing time of another year. May we accept this first, which leads us to a last, in Jesus, that we may know victory at the end, in our hearts and minds. 

We highlight the spiritual reason of, Faith

Faith and only faith allows us to believe the Incarnation of our God. Unless we believe that God became flesh and lived among us, the celebration of this season is but of the world. May we, with heart and mind, believe that God came as Man.

Faith compels us to accept the treasures received from our God, coming in Jesus Christ, His Son. May we keep, in heart and mind, all that God has given to us in Christ Jesus. 

Faith affords us the freedom to live, in our mortal bodies, here below, all that Immanuel has given to us. May we daily, in our present lives, show the truth of our God, Incarnate.  

We highlight the significant reason of, Fact

The fact is that Jesus was begotten, not made. And the Word was made flesh, and dwelt among us, (and we beheld his glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father,) full of grace and truth. John 1: 14 KJV. At Advent, we celebrate the coming of the One Begotten.

Let heart, mind and soul rejoice!

The fact is that Jesus was born of virgin birth. Therefore the Lord himself shall give you a sign: Behold, the virgin shall conceive and bear a Son, and shall call His name Immanuel! Isaiah 7: 14 KJV.

Let heart, mind, soul and strength, join in unending praises to God, for Immanuel!

The fact is that Jesus was once a human baby, weak and helpless, needing due care and attention, like any other human baby. And she brought forth her firstborn son, and wrapped him in swaddling clothes, and laid him in a manger. Luke 2: 7a KJV.

Let heart, mind, soul, and voice unite in songs of praise to the Lord.

The fact is that Jesus knew hatred, malice and evil, even as a little child, before He could begin to do any earthly work for His Heavenly Father. Didn’t Herod seek to kill Him when He was born? Note what an angel of God said to Joseph, after the Magi were warned not to return to Herod. The angel warned Joseph to leave where he and his young family were, and go to a safe place, far away, for Herod will seek the young child to destroy him. Matthew 2: 13b NKJV.

Let heart and soul, mind and strength, never cease to glorify our Father in heaven.

With facts intact, as to why we celebrate this Advent or Christmas Season, we pray that all we receive, will be to our uplifting. May each heart and mind be like that of Mary. May our hearts be strengthened and blessed as we celebrate the First Coming of our Lord.  

For the remainder of this week, special heart-treasuring experiences will be pondered upon.