The Third Article for Advent where an unknown journey to Eternal Peace call us.

The Third article for Advent Sunday where an unknown journey to Eternal Peace calls us. 

Our 1st and 2nd articles brought the Old Testament prophets into view via a very strong pronouncement of the coming of Christ.  Using these prophets from antiquity places the most sound manner of God's Plan to redeem us and save our souls into eternity.

One central theme for Advent brings the hope each of us should hold onto.  By reading these prophets’, who answered God’s call, we may understand the length our heavenly Father prepared all of us to seek that virtue in a holy way.  

The words from Zechariah so eloquently spoken testifies to the restoration by the Messiah.  “Rejoice heartil;y, O daughter Zion, shout for joy O daughter Jerusalem!   See, your king shall come to you; a just savior is he, Meek, and  riding on an ass, on a colt, the foal of an ass.  He shall banish the chariot from Ephraim, and the horse from Jerusalem;  The warrior’s bow shall be banished, and he shall proclaim peace to the nations.”  (Zec 9: 9 - 10).  

A just and merciful God is the Lord.  From Isaiah we read; ”See, the Lord proclaims to the ends of the earth;  Say to daughter Zion, you savior comes!  Here is his reward with him, his recompense before him.  They shall be called the holy people, the redeemed of the Lord, and you shall be called Frequented, a city that is not forsaken.”  (Is 62: 11 - 12).

All this for the bride Jerusalem!  Again, when we enter into Advent, our prime purpose is finding the very essence of God preparing for the Incarnation with its founding attributes the answer to what occurred beginning with the adherence of sin.  As each candle is lit on the Advent wreath, our prayers should remind us that the sin which brought Christ to us is the diminishment of sin in a personal way.  

A closing thought for this week is found in Psalm 16:  “I bless the Lord who counsels me;  even at night my heart exports me.  I keep the Lord always before me; with the Lord at my right, I shall never be shaken.  Therefore my heart is glad, my soul rejoices; my body also dwells secure, for you will not abandon me to Sheol, nor let your faithful servant see the pit.  You will show me the path to life, abounding joy in your presence, the delightsat you tight hand forever.”  (Ps 16: 7 - 11). 

Ralph B. Hathaway