New Minds, New Hearts

On this Fourth and final Lord’s Day Advent Sunday, we are in the designated time known as Christmas Eve or Advent Eve. That’s correct, tomorrow is the day for which we have long awaited, the day when many believers around the world celebrate Advent Day or Christmas Day.

It has been brought before me, as obvious as it is, that this year’s Christmas will be a first for many people, both earthly and heavenly; in the flesh and in the Spirit. 

We think of new born babies, born on Christmas and so this will be a first for them.

We think of little children who have been in this world, but who have not yet seen Christmas Day. I refer to babies born after Christmas last year, making this their first Christmas.

“Of course,” I can hear you saying, “That is quite obvious; what’s so new about such knowledge?” True, but how often have you thought of new converts, people of all ages, born again of water and the Spirit? Jesus has stated categorically that, Flesh gives birth to flesh, but the Spirit gives birth to spirit. John 3: 6. Many a born again believer will be having his or her first Advent in the Lord Jesus, King of kings. However, experiencing a first in the Advent of our Jesus, is not limited to, or designated only to newly born children of the Spirit. The elaborately awesome ways and will of Sovereign, Father God, are so beyond our human imagination even, that we can only stand in fear and wonder at His utterly stupendous works.

Who is like our God? Who can compare with Him in heaven, or on earth, or under the earth? Without doubt or hesitation, we can join wholehearted with the Psalmist in giving all honour, power, majesty, laud and Supreme pre-eminence to God.

The LORD is exalted over all the nations, his glory above the heavens. Who is like the LORD our God, the One who sits enthroned on high, who stoops down to look on the heavens and the earth? Psalm 113: 4 – 6.

What a distinct privilege, for us mortals, sinful creatures, to be able to praise and worship God.  What blessedness of grace to know that one is indeed born again and is able to celebrate in Spirit and in truth, Immanuel, God with us.

It is in this grace, this God-given favour that our hearts and minds are made new. It is in this sure faith that we come this week, prepared to be part of the hearts, which were made different and new, at the First Coming of our Lord and Saviour, Jesus Christ.