Friday, December 1, 2023

Saturday prior to Advent 1

 

Matthew 21:1-16 Our reading is the inspiration for the hymn, “O Bride of Christ, Rejoice.” 

O Bride of Christ, rejoice!
Exultant raise thy voice
To hail the day of glory,
Foretold in sacred story.
Refrain
Hosanna, praise and glory,
Our King, we bow before Thee.

How does the Savior choose to make Himself known? Not in pomp and circumstance, not with a grand fanfare and a flurry of light and sound. Instead He chooses to be placed in a manger, the feeding trough of the animals. He is born in a stable where beasts are kept. Not the place you would go looking for the savior of the world.

But this is the amazing thing about our Savior, He chooses to be found in those places the world would least expect. He chooses to reveal Himself in those places the world considers unimportant. He chooses to exert His power in what an unbelieving world considers weak and of little consequence.

The cruel cross of Calvary looks ahead of us even in Advent. Does the death of a condemned man seem compelling enough to offer atonement? Could His life and sacrifice really save you? The surroundings and the circumstances of His birth predict His death. They are the means by which we find peace with God and absolution for our sin.

Collect for Advent 1 -Stir up Your power O Lord and come, that by Your protection we may be rescued from the threatening perils of our sins and saved by Your mighty deliverance; for You live and reign with the Father and the Holy Spirit.[1]



[1] Collect for Advent 1, Lutheran Service Book © Concordia Publishing House, St. Louis
Advent © Ed Riojas, Higher Things


No comments: