“Listen! It’s the voice of someone shouting, ‘Clear the way through the wilderness for the LORD! Make a straight highway through the wasteland for our God!’” ~Isaiah 40:3 NLT
Advent is a time when we are reminded of Jesus’ first coming and of God’s people awaiting the birth of the Messiah who would save them. It is also a time that we ourselves anticipate Jesus’ second coming when he will return to take us home.
There are more than 300 prophecies in the Old Testament which were fulfilled through Jesus hundreds of years after they were written. In the passage above, the prophet Isaiah is speaking of John the Baptist who would prepare the people for Jesus by telling them to “Repent for the kingdom of heaven is near.” Hundreds of years later, Matthew, Mark, Luke & John recorded in their New Testament accounts that John the Baptist is the one Isaiah was speaking of.
Just as there are many Old Testament prophecies about the Messiah that were fulfilled in the New Testament, there are also many passages in Scripture that tell us that Jesus will come again. Yes! Jesus is coming back, and we need to share his message with others as we eagerly await his return!
So, make this advent season a special time for you and your family. As so many holiday traditions compete for your time, remember that the true reason for the season is to celebrate the birth of the One who came to save us and to anticipate his return. Keep Jesus as your focus. Spend time praying, reading your Bible and allowing him to transform your life. Prepare your heart for his coming & share his message with others so they can be prepared too. The kingdom of heaven is near, & there is no better day than today to share the Good News of Jesus with someone who needs the hope and peace we have through him.