Psalm 143:1-6, Matthew 1:18-25, John 1:14-17, Colossians 1:15-23
“Christ by highest heaven adored,
Christ the ever lasting Lord;
Pleased with us in flesh to dwell,
Jesus, our Immanuel.”
When the Soul Feels Parched
There are times when a soul feels parched or sits in darkness. Days filled with waiting, longing, and distress, often cause us to look back on the good old days. We remember when the air was lighter and our burdens easier to bear.
Western culture often mistakes remembering for reminiscing. America views remembering as longing for what used to be. In the Old Testament, remembering is a present/future state. The Hebrew word for remembering is “zakar.” Zakar means to be brought to remembrance. It is used as a propeller. God’s people are commanded to look back and remember the past in order to be propelled forward with confident assurance into the future.
Advent as a Season of Rememberance
The Advent season was designed to create moments of remembrance in the church. Emmanuel – God with us – was born over 2,000 years ago. He came to restore peace to a world broken by sin. He became fresh and dwelt on earth so that we may receive grace upon grace.
Peace often seems to be an elusive concept. All around us wars rage, sickness dominates, hearts are broken. When one trial ebbs, another flows in. The noise of distress threatens to drown out grace.
We must remember who God is and what he has done in order to combat the vote of chaos. Lasting peace cannot be obtained apart from the presence of God. For us to move forward into grace and peace, remembering has to go beyond passive thought. It is necessary for us to proclaim God’s wonders and deeds.
Immanuel: Peace in the Chaos
Emmanuel became flesh. He chose to live in a world of chaos to become peace for the broken, alien, hostile heart of man. Because of grace, we have been reconciled to God. This truth is a gift to save us and sustain us through every high and low of life.
God crossed a great chasm in order to rescue you from sin. He hears every plea. He bottles up every tear. Remember and proclaim the words, promises, and deeds of Emmanuel.
