An Advent Reflection

O Come, O Come, Immanuel

Advent Reflections, Part I

"We see the truth of the words of today's Old Testament Reading all around us. 'The grass withers, the flower fades (Isaiah 40:8).' The flowers of summer fade & fall as autumn arrives & gives way to winter. The car we saved up to purchase piles on mileage & begins to require costly repairs. The once-new wedding dress has yellowed with age. The things of this world wither & fade. But that's not the end of what the prophet Isaiah has to say: 'The grass withers, the flower fades, but the word of our God will stand forever.' In our ever-changing fallen world, there is one thing that remains unchanged--God & His Word. Listen today to the unchanging promises of God for you, anchored in His Son, Jesus Christ, who is the same yesterday, today, & forever." SOURCE:  Grace Lutheran Church (Norfolk) Sunday bulletin, 12/10/17.

God's Word Speaks to Us

"Behold, the Lord God comes with might, and His arm rules for Him, and His recompense * before Him. He will tend His flock like a shepherd; He will gather the lambs in His arms; He will carry them in His bosom, and gently lead those that are with young." Isaiah 40:10-13

Advent Reflections, Part II

In light of a death in our extended family, our dear brother-in-law Paul, these thoughts resonate with me.

• "The grass withers, the flower fades." From the moment we are born, we walk a path that leads inevitably to death.
• "The things of this world wither & fade." It's an inevitable destiny for all things to eventually break down & degenerate.
• " . . . but the word of our God will stand forever." In the midst of all things that are fleeting, one anchor remains firm & unchanging--the Living Word.
• The Living Word comes to us in our Baptism. 
• He comes to us in Holy Scripture, & we are blessed by the Holy Spirit to read & absorb its Truth.
• He comes to us in His body & blood, in, with, & under the wine of Holy Communion.
• "He will tend His flock like a shepherd; He will gather the lambs in His arms . . . " He is the Good Shepherd, & His love for us--His vulnerable lambs--"will stand forever."
• In a world that burdens us with overwhelming sadness & eventual death, HE COMES! 
• He will come again to lead us to everlasting joy in Heaven. 
• HE COMES! He comes now to bring us consolation & the peace which is only possibly through Jesus Christ.

O Come, O Come, Immanuel, "God with us."

* According to Dictionary.com, a "recompense" is a "repayment or requital." Since we could not earn forgiveness & salvation based on our own good works, Jesus Christ became our recompense. His holy life, sacrificial death, & glorious requisition repaid our debt for our unholiness.