THE ADVENT – HOPE

When the first parents, Adam and Eve sinned, they lost the precious and priceless communion and fellowship with our Creator. So also all us. Not just that, wall have also lost, all hope for any reconciliation and restoration. We ended up in a hopeless situation. Such are the consequences of what had happened in the Garden of Eden. What a fall, and what a tragedy.

The One who created us, the LORD God Almighty, is not someone who would leave us to ourselves, because of our rebellion and sin. The LORD in His mercy and grace, had decided to set things right, and rescue us from the consequences of our sin and rebellion. God set in motion, right there in the garden, the rescue plan – “15 I will put enmity between you and the woman, and between your offspring and her offspring; he shall bruise your head, and you shall bruise his heel.” – Genesis 3:15. Please note the words – “…your offspring and her offspring; he shall bruise your head, and you shall bruise his heel.” HalleluYah!!!

The LORD, using the prophet Isaiah as His mouthpiece, has this prophecy, as words of comfort, for the hopeless human beings – “2 The people who walked in darkness have seen a great light; those who dwelt in a land of deep darkness, on them has light shone…6 For to us a child is born, to us a son is given; and the government shall be upon his shoulder, and his name shall be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.” – Isaiah 9:2,6. HalleluYah!!

The purpose of the Saviour’s birth, was made clear to Joseph – “21…you shall call his name Jesus, for he will save his people from their sins.” – Matthew 1:21. Announcing the birth of the Saviour to the Shepherd, the angel declared – “10…“Fear not, for behold, I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people. 11 For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord.” – Luke 2:10-11.  HalleluYah!!!

What was a hopeless situation for us, the human beings, is now turned upside down, by the birth of the Christ child. What a glorious turnaround, it turned to be. So full of hope, and a future so bright. All because of the love, the grace and the mercy of our LORD and our Creator. Our transformed lives, are a blazing witness to the hope, that the LORD Jesus had brought to fruition.* What a joy it is, for us to meditate on this blessed hope, that Christmas brings to the fallen, rebellious and hopeless world.

May we, as God’s redeemed people, be His true witnesses, in a world filled with gloom, despair, darkness and hopelessness. Let us seek the LORD, and ask Him to help us, to shine brighter for Him, and to spread His rays of hope, as He desires.