“For I tell you that Christ became a servant to the circumcised to show God’s truthfulness, in order to confirm the promises given to the patriarchs, and in order that the Gentiles might glorify God for his mercy.” (Romans 15:8-9a)
Paul’s words from his epistle to the Romans are quite appropriate for Advent. Paul wrote to remind believers the reason why Christ Jesus came into the world. He was the fulfillment of God’s promises to the Hebrew people but also to the Gentiles, the rest of the world. Jesus was and is the demonstration of God’s truthfulness and faithfulness. God never lies. He promised Adam and Eve to send the Messiah to save humankind from the consequences of their sin, the greatest of which is death, both physical and eternal. And the Lord promises that Jesus will return again to set things right. When He comes He will sweep away wickedness, injustice, poverty, immorality, violence, fear and death.
During the preChristmas season it is quite easy to forget the meaning of Christmas. Maybe this is because we believers have allowed ourselves to be formed into the image of what the world wants us to be rather than into the image of Christ. At this time of year the world exercises a great influence through the media that distracts us from focusing on the Lord. The world sees it as a time for materialism and decadent self-indulgence, not for sober reflection on the direction of one’s life. Perhaps this is because those who lack faith in Jesus try to numb the pain and sadness they feel about their lives, as well as their fear of death.
The Church focuses on Advent as the time to look forward to this Second Coming. We cannot behave as the world does. We cannot let it squeeze us into its mold or template. We have a calling to live in righteousness and humility as well as to preach the truth of the gospel to all men, in our churches, and but out in our world. We who have faith in Jesus must be a witness for Him, a living example of His love, mercy, and compassion as well of His power to change the hearts of men and make them righteous and holy.