Perspectives; Advent 2017: Recent Episodes
David W. Hegg
Living on this side of the Incarnation, we often forget what it was like to look forward to the fulfillment of God’s promise to send the “He” of Genesis 3:15, Jesus the Christ, our Savior. But, when we stand with the prophets and look forward through the lens of God’s covenant promises, we come to see just how faithful God has been and how we can trust Him fully for the promises yet to be fulfilled.
As we have looked at the coming of God the Son Incarnate, we have viewed it through the lens of the prophets, angels, and shepherds. But, while all these have helped us understand God’s faithfulness, what is most important is our own perspective. Who is this baby born in Bethlehem? The answer to this question makes all the difference.
On this Third Sunday of Advent, we pay particular attention to the shepherds whom God Himself chose to be the first to hear of the birth of the Promised King. It was to these, whose job it was to raise and guard the Temple lambs, that the invitation first came to worship the Lamb of God. They were the first to experience the reality that the promise of a Savior had been fulfilled, and it is through their perspective that we glimpse yet another view of the majesty of the Incarnation.
Throughout the Bible angels play an important role in the unfolding drama of redemption. They are especially important in announcing and explaining the birth of the Savior. This weekend we look at the glorious event of Jesus’ birth through the lens of the angelic messengers who brought God’s message to Joseph, Mary, and the shepherds.
Living on this side of the Incarnation, we often forget what it was like to look forward to the fulfillment of God’s promise to send the “He” of Genesis 3:15, Jesus the Christ, our Savior. But, when we stand with the prophets and look forward through the lens of God’s covenant promises, we come to see just how faithful God has been and how we can trust Him fully for the promises yet to be fulfilled.