“Behold, the days are coming, declares the LORD, when I will fulfill the promise I made to the house of Israel and the house of Judah. In those days and at that time I will cause a righteous Branch to spring up for David, and he shall execute justice and righteousness in the land. In those days Judah will be saved, and Jerusalem will dwell securely. And this is the name by which it will be called: The LORD is our righteousness.’”
Jeremiah 33:14-16 (ESV)
Father God, Advent is a time to reflect upon the glorious provision that You manifested in the incarnation of the Savior of the world. In Him and by Him and through Him all of Your promises find their “yes” and “amen.” (2 Corinthians 1:20) By faith, He has saved me, not by what I have done but instead by what He accomplished on the cross (Titus 3:5). By standing in my place, He satisfied Your requirement for justice, taking upon Himself my guilt and shame (2 Corinthians 5:21). Through Your grace and by His love You have saved me (Ephesians 2:8-9, John 3:16). He is my righteousness (1 Corinthians 1:30).
This morning my soul rejoices in the already but not yet splendor of this love. That You would send Jesus, Whom You loved, and He would execute the first phase of Your justice and righteousness by taking upon Himself my sin and the sins of all who call upon His Name, is something that I would never have thought to do myself for someone else. But You did. He did (Romans 5:7-8). He lived a life of love, but also of sorrows (Isaiah 53:1), and in His suffering He carried our iniquities (Isaiah 53:5). And it began with Him coming as a child. Glory hallelujah!
So, this month, as I immerse myself into the glory of Christmas, I pray that You would keep before me not the promise of presents or a preoccupation on people, but instead help me to be engrossed in Your grace, looking towards the fulfillment of Your precious promises to all who love You and call upon the Name of Jesus. Show me Him in all things this season. Let me see Him the decorations, in the smiles and in the exchanges. As I let my light shine, shine Your light down upon me that I might point people to Him. LORD, as I immerse myself into worshipping You this season, fill my heart with joy as I look to the eternal things that are unseen (2 Corinthians 2:18). Thank You for sending Jesus to me!