May the Joy, Love and Peace of Jesus be will you.
The fourth week of Advent brings us face to face with the reality that we are very near to the manger, that the blessed hope that students of prophecy throughout the Roman Empire had studied their whole lives was near as foretold in Isaiah 53.
Throughout Bethlehem, the hustling and bustling of the city was omnipresent and all encompassing. The markets would have been busy, the temple was filled to capacity as those who once daily worshipped as young men and women who had returned to be counted and blessed.
The pangs of impending childbirth would not have been foreign to Mary and Joseph. Like all mothers, the pain was coming, and her joy shortly thereafter. We too have birth pangs during our journey to faith in Jesus. Questions, conflicts, doubt, clarity and true wonder mark us as we near our own joyful rebirth to eternal life.
In scripture, we read that Mary was visited by Gabriel and he said “Behold, you will conceive and give birth to a son, and you are to give Him the name Jesus. He will be great and will be called the Son of the Most High. The Lord God will give Him the throne of His father David.” (Luke 1:31-32, Berean Standard Bible)
Matthew, in 1: 21 and 25, writes that “And she shall bring forth a son, and thou shalt call his name JESUS: for he shall save his people from their sins.”
For us today, our journey to Jesus comes into focus during this season. Are you seeking freedom from addiction, abuse, lack of forgiveness, loneliness, anger, depression or pain?
Jesus comes, knocking at your heart, wanting you to welcome him in.
Will you prepare Him room this season?
Tim Lasiuta is a freelance writer.