A Thrill of Hope

From the moment Eve took the first bite of forbidden fruit, creation has been groaning and mankind has been in need of a redeemer.

On that fateful day when sin entered the world, a Savior was graciously promised. A glorious King would come who would crush the head of the wicked, wily serpent and rule over the people of Israel.

“And you, O Bethlehem, in the land of Judah, are by no means least among the rulers of Judah; for from you shall come a ruler while will shepherd my people Israel.”  (Matthew 2:6 quoting Micah 5:2)

Such a glorious, hope-filled promise given to God’s people!

But they would have to wait.

Centuries passed, and the world fell headlong into sin with all its devastating effects. Generation after generation would suffer from selfish ambition, power struggles, hate, loss, hunger, and every kind of injustice.

Those who knew of God’s promise and longed for its fulfillment waited eagerly for the Messiah. With each passing year, Israel would wonder, “Is now the time that He will come?”

But as they called out for deliverance, their only answer was death, disease, displacement, and darkness.

And then…

A THRILL OF HOPE!

At long last, God came to live with us. The long-ago Promised One pierced through time and space. The very Word of God was made into skin and bone, entering our world and breathing in our dust.

Wise Men rejoiced at His coming. They fell down in worship and brought gifts that reflected their joy and reverence:

1)     Gold - a precious metal signifying royalty, purity, and value. It was a gift fit for a king.

2)     Frankincense - a very expensive type of incense that was used in worship        ceremonies

3)     Myrrh - a sweet smelling resin that was used for embalming bodies after death

It would seem that the Wise Men somehow had a proper understanding of the life that this royal baby would lead. Even though He was King of kings and worthy of all worship, He humbly came as a poor, defenseless baby. He would live a life just like ours, yet without sin. He would fulfill every requirement needed to be right before God and then drink the cup of God’s wrath in the place of sinners.

“A thrill of hope, the weary world rejoices, for yonder breaks a new and glorious morn.”    (O Holy Night by Adolphe Adam)

Jesus came to live and die for us, but His perfect reign has not yet been fully realized. For those of us who live on this side of the manger, the waiting is not yet over.

One day He will come again to make all things right. All the sad things will become untrue, and death itself will die!

But we will have to wait.

As we celebrate the first advent of our Savior this Christmas, may we long for His second one that is yet to come.

-Becky Groppel