The Jews were proud to be sons and daughters of Abraham. God promised to bless Abraham, to give him the Promised Land, and to bless the whole world through him. Through Abraham, they believed that they were privy to all these blessings. God promised all of these things to Abraham, and the Jews anxiously awaited their fulfillment. And God's fulfillment came, but it was not what the Jews were expecting.
During this first week of Advent, we are busily preparing to celebrate the birth of our promised Savior. But on Christmas Eve, after all our hard work and preparation is over, the fulfillment of our God's promises may not be what we expect either. When we think of a Savior from sin, death, and the power of the devil, a defenseless and helpless baby in a manger is not what we would expect. But that is how God came to the world. God's promise of salvation came into the world, and the world did not know it. He was not announced with processions of trumpets and parades. Some foreigners and some lowly shepherds announced Him. God's promise came into the world, but it was not what the world expected.
The same Jesus that came into the world in that lowly manger on that first Christmas was so much bigger and better than anyone could have expected. The man who healed people, walked on water, fed thousands, and turned water into wine was so much more than anyone expected. He was the fulfillment of God's promise. But He did not come only for the Jews. He came for the Gentiles as well. He came to redeem the whole world. He came to redeem you. He came to die for you. He came to rise for you. He will come again to raise you never to die again. Through Baptism Christ comes and makes you His child. He keeps His promises to you.
THE PRAYER: Dear heavenly Father, keep me as Your child and remind me of Your promises until life everlasting. Amen
Written by Pastor Patrick Niles
St. Paul Concordia, MO
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