Advent Reader: He will go on before the Lord…

Matthew 3

Another Christmas Day has come and gone and soon the visible signs of Christmas celebration will disappear from our homes and public buildings. The weeks of excitement, planning and happy anticipation will be over for another year. As such, the Christmas story draws to a close at the end of Matthew 2.

But, we know there is so much more about the Lord Jesus in Matthew starting with our reflections in the final pages of this Advent Reader and then during our forthcoming Sunday services.We sometimes speak of ‘the real meaning of Christmas’ much of which is discovered in the scriptures that follow the Advent and Christmas passages.

Decades have passed and Matthew 3 is in many ways a scriptural bridge or link between Jesus the boy and Jesus the man. John the Baptist in fulfilment of another Old Testament prophecy declares a call for repentance and announces that one mightier that he is to follow him…the Kingdom of Heaven is coming ….get ready! The scene for the next stage of Jesus’ life has been set…a life that will reveal the real meaning and purpose of Christmas…the Kingdom of Heaven is open to all who acknowledge their need of repentance and believe in the name of the Lord Jesus. A faith based relationship as John makes clear to the Scribes and Pharisees.

And then…. Jesus arrives and we read of the amazing manifestation of the Trinity… the voice of God affirms who Jesus is and the Holy Spirit descends upon Him..an awesome scene for us to envisage, reflect upon and be encouraged by. The ministry of Jesus is launched.

Want to know more about the real meaning of Christmas?....read on.