IS IT TOO EARLY FOR CHRISTMAS?

 

Sunday, November 26, 2023

 

IS IT TOO EARLY FOR CHRISTMAS?

 

Luke 1:26-28

26 And in the sixth month the angel Gabriel was sent from God unto a city of Galilee, named Nazareth,

27 To a virgin espoused to a man whose name was Joseph, of the house of David; and the virgin's name was Mary.

28 And the angel came in unto her, and said, Hail, thou that art highly favoured, the Lord is with thee: blessed art thou among women.

 

          There are approximately 400 years of prophetic silence from Malachi 4:5-6 and the events surrounding the birth of Messiah. Malachi was written about 432 – 424 B.C. and Matthew was written about A.D. 40.  During that time the Holy Spirit was comforting the faithful, convicting the faulty, and constructing the family that would produce the Lamb of God.

 

          The silence is broken when Zacharias, a common priest, encountered an angel in the Temple as he ministered at the altar of prayer. His prayer had been heard and he would become a father in his old age. Elizabeth conceived a boy baby who would become John the Baptist. Interestingly, the silence would continue for another nine months because Zacharias was dumbstruck and could not speak until the naming of the baby.

 

          Six months after Elizabeth’s conception, Gabriel visits Mary and announces that she had been highly favored of God. She, though a virgin, would conceive and bear a son who would be named Jesus (Jehoshua) or savior and so the work of redemption was began in the womb of a virgin by the power of the Holy Spirit.

 

          Is it too early to celebrate the soul’s release from the bondage of sin? Is it too early to sing the songs of salvation and dance the dance of the rescued and redeemed? I think not. The pre-born John could not wait for his celebration to begin and so he leaped within Elizabeth’s womb when he heard Mary’s announcement. Joy! That kind of joy is never too early to begin.

 

Lord, much of our Christmas Joy is artificial and commercial but the joy of the redemption story is deep and very real. Bless the Lord, Oh my soul, and all that is within me, bless His holy name. AMEN