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
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