We've spent the last several days learning about "The Famous Last Words" of the LORD to Malachi. He spoke of His love for Israel, His covenant people. He spoke of the peace that was supposed to find it's way to the people through the priests. He spoke of the hope that was still to come through a prophet that will prepare for the ultimate Hope-bringer, Messiah. He spoke of the joy they would feel when they realized the FREEDOM that the Messiah would bring to those who served Him.
After 400 years of silence, God spoke again. And it was a Word echoing from eternity past--
"In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was with God in the beginning. All things were created through Him, and apart from Him not one thing was creaeted that has been created. In Him was life, and that life was the light of men. That light shines in the darkness, and yet the darkness did not overcome it." John 1:1-5
God reaffirmed His love in John 3:16--
"For God loves the world in this way; He gave His one and only Son, so that every one who believes in Him will not perish but have eternal life."
And right in the Christmas story, we see the Messiah coming with the promise of peace, hope, and joy!
"...An angel of the Lord stood before them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they {the shepherds} were terrified. But the angel said to them,
"Don't be afraid, for look, I proclaim to you good news of great joy that will be for all the people: Today in the city of David a Savior was born for you, who is the Messiah, the Lord. This will the sign for you: You will find the baby wrapped tightly in cloth and lying in a manger."
Suddenly there was a multitiude of the heavenly host with the angel, praising God and saying:
Glory to God in the highest heaven, and peace on earth to people He favors!
When the angels had left them and returned to heaven, the shepherds said to one another "Let's go straight to Bethlehem and see what has happened, which the Lord has made known to us"
They hurried off and found both Mary and Joseph, and the baby who was lying in the manger. After seeing them, they reported the message they were told about this child, and all who heard it were amazed at what the shepherds said to them. But Mary was treasuring up all these things in her heart and meditating on them. The shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all the things they had seen and heard, which were just as they had been told." Luke 2:9-20
So familiar. But so sacred. The dawn of redeeming grace. Love, peace, hope, joy. All fulfilled in Christ. The famous last words of Malachi were not the last words at all. God from the beginning of time had a final word for us---Jesus, Messiah. Praise His Name Forever.
Rejoice! Rejoice! Immanuel HAS come to you!!
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