Third Lord's Day Sunday in Advent

On this Third Sunday in Advent we know that we are nearing the end of our Season of Celebration. We come today, well into the Season, mindfully aware of all that this time of celebrations may bring. We now identify and verify, a few facts about the Advent of Messiah, in flesh. 

We know for sure, as by faith we believe Isaiah’s prophecy about the Anointed One, Messiah, which was fulfilled over 2000 years ago. God came Incarnate – Immanuel - God with us as recorded in Matthew 1: 23. The virgin will conceive and give birth to a son, and they will call him Immanuel (which means God with us).

We know beyond any shadow of any doubt, that the Godhead came in flesh, born of a virgin, and He was named Jesus, for He will save His people from their sins. Matthew 1: 21b NKJV. 

We know and accept without the slightest bit of hesitation these indisputable facts. Sovereign, Father God, was the coordinator, director, manager and sole orchestrator of the divine celebrations on earth, when Jesus was born. He had His heavenly messenger bring Good Tidings to shepherds who were in the fields with their flock. After assuring these shepherds that there was no need for them to be afraid, the heavenly messenger said this to them all. I bring you good news that will cause great joy for all the people. Luke 2: 10 b. 

We know that after the heavenly messenger with all the other host of heavenly messengers left the shepherds, great fruit was born. We are told that they did not just believe, but they acted upon all that they had been told. They obeyed and went straightway to see all that they were told. Let’s go to Bethlehem and see this thing that has happened, which the Lord has told us about. Luke 2: 15b.

We believe that these shepherds, unfamed, ordinary people, conscientiously about their daily business, ensuring their livelihood and that of their families, have been suddenly and miraculously held by the Living Word of God. This sent Word, made known by the Lord’s heavenly messenger, has borne living, fruit. These hearers of the Good News, are now the Lord’s earthly messengers. When they had seen him, they spread the word concerning what had been told them about this child, and all who heard it were amazed at what the shepherds said to them. Luke 2: 17 – 18.

I ask you, is this not Sovereign, Father God Himself, the coordinator, director, manager and sole giver of such produce of His Word and by His Word? Note clearly, when the heavenly messengers told the True and Living Word, in His Name, God gave them fruit in that shepherds heard and believed. The same is true for the shepherds who in turn became God’s earthly messengers. When these shepherds, in God’s Name speaking and telling the True and Living Word was it not God who also gave them fruit? People who heard were amazed and we know that it means that people believed.

This giving of God, that of new converts at the Advent of Immanuel, will be our spirited, zealous and most blessed receiving.

Thank You, Sovereign Father, for Your alive, active and fruit producing, Living Word. We adore You, worship You and are most grateful that Your Word, heeded by all hearers, changes lives for the better. Amen!