Preparation for the Coming King | Advent Day 5
Daily Scripture Reading: Haggai 2:6-9
One might ask, how is Haggai 2:6-9 an appropriate devotional scripture for Advent? Haggai was one of Israel’s minor prophets who prophesied (circa 520 B.C.) to the returning exiles to rebuild the temple in Jerusalem. Through Haggai, God promises to “shake the heavens and the earth, the sea and the dry land” and that “what is desired by all nations will come.”
How could anything have been more earth-shaking than the announcement of the Heavenly Host to the shepherds on that Holy Night when Christ, the light of the world, was born? Truly, the Advent of the Savior of the world (predestined before the foundation of the world) was the seminal event of God’s abundant love, mercy, and grace. This Advent was for all nations, as expressed by the old man Simeon who was promised by the Holy Spirit that he would live until the salvation of Jerusalem appeared:
“For my eyes have seen your salvation, which you have prepared in the sight of all nations: a light for revelation to the Gentles, and the glory of your people Israel.” (Luke 2:31-33)
May our hearts rejoice as we prepare for the appearing of the Christ Child.
Prayer
Father God, thank you for the earth-shaking gif of your Son, Jesus, born of a virgin and given up for all mankind, that we might experience Your abundance here and in the life to come. In the beautiful and wonderful name of Jesus, Amen.