25 Fulfilled Promises of Christmas:
Advent Reflections for those who Wait, Watch, and Wonder Once More
Compiled and composed by Stephen A. Macchia
For the next 25 days we will journey to the manger by way of prophetic promises declared in the Old Testament and fulfilled in the coming of Jesus the Messiah. This is not an exhaustive list of prophecies but each has been chosen for your personal reflection. May each set of readings refresh and restore your soul.
Promise #1 – the Messiah will be the seed of a woman (Genesis 3:15 and Gal. 4:4). Genesis 3 is known as the “first flicker of the gospel” – the protevangelium. Read this passage in context to discover the prophetic word spoken directly to the serpent…the proclamation that the seed of a woman will eventually come to do battle with the serpent, the enemy of our souls. That seed is the Messiah Jesus, the One in Whom we wait, watch, and wonder once more. His Incarnation is the long-awaited miracle that the prophets foretold long ago. As you embrace this Advent season and anticipate Christmas, what “battle in your soul” do you pray that Jesus will reign over victoriously and set you free from this “battle of the flesh” once and for all?
Throughout this Advent and Christmas season, may you and yours…Behold the fulfilled promises of Almighty God ~ Believe the Gospel proclamation of Good News in the incarnate Jesus ~ Belong to those who anticipate the coming Messiah with joyful celebration ~ Become a faithful disciple who waits, watches, and wonders with Spirit-filled anticipation once more!