Tag: Faithful

Reason For Advent – Week 4

Featured ~ Sowmya Gali

Luke 2: 25 – 35

25. And behold, there was a man in Jerusalem whose name was Simeon, and this man was just and devout, waiting for the Consolation of Israel, and the Holy Spirit was upon him. 26. And it had been revealed to him by the Holy Spirit that he would not see death before he had seen the Lord’s Christ. 27. So he came by the Spirit into the temple. And when the parents brought in the Child Jesus, to do for Him according to the custom of the law, 28. he took Him up in his arms and blessed God and said:

29. “Lord, now You are letting Your servant depart in peace,
According to Your word;
30. For my eyes have seen Your salvation
31. Which You have prepared before the face of all peoples,
32. A light to bring revelation to the Gentiles,
And the glory of Your people Israel.”

33. And Joseph and His mother marveled at those things which were spoken of Him. 34. Then Simeon blessed them, and said to Mary His mother, “Behold, this Child is destined for the fall and rising of many in Israel, and for a sign which will be spoken against 35. (yes, a sword will pierce through your own soul also), that the thoughts of many hearts may be revealed.”

Simeon was the last of a few faithful people who eagerly awaited to see the promised Messiah. Led by the Holy Spirit, he sought out Jesus’ parents Mary and Joseph as they came to present themselves in the synagogue. A righteous and devout man, who lived by the promise that he will not see death until he saw the salvation of the Lord with his own eyes. Here was Simeon, who lived among evil men, probably accosted for his faith, witnessed Israel disintegrating into lawlessness. His only hope was in the salvation of God, which He promised. He waited with anticipation the redemption that was coming.

Simeon knew the length of days of men on earth. He knew for certain that in his lifetime, he would see God’s salvation. He lived each day awaiting patiently for the arm of God to bring about His salvation. The Lord has made bare His holy arm in the eyes of all the nations; and all the ends of the earth shall see the salvation of our God (Isaiah 52: 10). Even though he was surrounded by evil, oppression by the Romans and to some extent the religious elite, he never gave up. God chose him and kept him alive so he could witness first hand the promise coming to fulfillment. What a blessed life, Simeon had!

Just like Simeon, we who are called by God to be the watchmen, to proclaim the Gospel to the ends of the earth, also eagerly await His glorious return. When our eyes are fixated on Heaven and our union with our Redeemer, then we too, who are equipped to interpret the signs of the times, will live out each day of our lives expecting the coming fulfillment of His promise. Whether we live or die, our hearts long to behold Him. Time and time again, He has kept His promises. The skies may disappear, the earth may fall away, but His promises will never fail.

Dear Saint of God, as we live our lives in anticipation of His glorious return, let us continue to hold onto His faithful promises. Not one will be broken. The people who walk in darkness will see a great light; those who live in a dark land, the light will shine upon them (Isaiah 9: 2). During Jesus’ first Advent, the heavens echoed of His birth but the world did not see since He came as a meek and lowly servant. However, at Jesus’ second Advent, the whole earth will see as the King of kings and the Lord of lords descends with the herald of angels and all creation. Even though, we may be engulfed with darkness, mocked for our faith and anticipation of His return, let us remain faithful and steadfast as Simeon, eagerly awaiting the hand of God to rescue us.

Isaiah 60: 1-3

“Arise, shine; for your light has come, and the glory of the Lord has risen upon you.

For behold, darkness will cover the earth and deep darkness the peoples; but the Lord will rise upon you and His glory will appear upon you. Nations will come to your light, and kings to the brightness of your rising.

Reason for Advent – Week 3

Featured ~ Sowmya Gali ~ 2 Comments

Luke 19: 41 – 42

When He approached Jerusalem, He saw the city and wept over it, saying, “if you had known in this day even you, the things which make for peace! But now they have been hidden from your eyes.

Walking or driving through neighborhoods, I observed people’s houses were all decked up for the Christmas season. Lights of various colors, wreaths of various sizes, garlands, inflated characters like Santa Claus, Peanuts, reindeers, nativity scenes, etc., adorned peoples houses and front yards. People do put in a lot of effort and money in these decorations. And each house is uniquely decorated. I wonder if each house had a story to tell about the most precious gift, that is Jesus Christ in their lives.

Year after year, as we celebrate the first advent of Jesus Christ, we ought to remember the second advent of Jesus Christ, which is quite at hand. At His first coming, He came as a lowly servant, in a manger, born of a virgin. He shed His precious blood to redeem us from sin and death, so we could be reconciled to our Heavenly Father. His first arrival was prophesied in the Old Testament numerous times and yet the people of Israel failed to recognize the timing of His arrival. That is why Jesus lamented and wept over the city of Jerusalem that they did not anticipate His advent.

There are a greater number of prophecies of His second coming than His first. His second coming isn’t going to be a quiet affair. On the contrary, the whole creation will know of and see His advent. Jesus Himself proclaimed about His second advent numerous times. He gave His disciples and us the signs of times that would indicate of His arrival. The apostles, the early church and saints of the past have eagerly awaited His second coming. They neither wanted to miss nor misinterpret His second coming like their ancestors. They lived their lives in anticipation of His arrival.

Today, are we living in anticipation of His arrival? He won’t be coming back as a babe in a manger but He will be coming with all the Heavenly hosts, roaring like a lion. The Israelites may have failed to read the signs of the times they were living in and may have failed to correctly interpret the prophets. We, on the other hand, don’t have an excuse. We do know the Holy Scriptures. We do know how to interpret the signs. How much more then should we live each day in anticipation of His arrival any minute!

Dearly beloved, advent is a season of anticipation. Even though we celebrate Christmas once a year, we should live each day as it could be the day of His coming again for His bride. The days we are living in are getting darker by the minute. The world may mock us of our faith in the King of kings, who is returning. Nevertheless, nothing should deter us from living in anticipation. We will go about our daily lives, an eye on the world and the other eye looking heavenward – a reason for us having two eyes. We will continue to hear what is going on in the world with one ear and listening with the other to what the Holy Spirit is teaching. We will continue to serve others in need with one hand and raise our other hand in worship of Him. Let us live in anticipation of the advent of our Lord and Savior. Let us learn to interpret the signs of His coming again.