Come and Adore!

“Thus says the Lord of hosts: Behold, I will save my people from the east country and from the west country, and I will bring them to dwell in the midst of Jerusalem. And they shall be my people, and I will be their God, in faithfulness and in righteousness…

“I purposed in these days to bring good to Jerusalem..; fear not. These are the things that you shall do: Speak the truth to one another; render in your gates judgments that are true and make for peace; do not devise evil in your hearts against one another, and love no false oath, for all these things I hate, declares the Lord…

“The fasts… shall be to the house of Judah seasons of joy and gladness and cheerful feasts. Therefore love truth and peace.

“Thus says the Lord of hosts: Peoples shall yet come, even the inhabitants of many cities. The inhabitants of one city shall go to another, saying, ‘Let us go at once to entreat the favor of the Lord and to seek the Lord of hosts; I myself am going.’ Many peoples and strong nations shall come to seek the Lord of hosts in Jerusalem and to entreat the favor of the Lord. Thus says the Lord of hosts: In those days ten men from the nations of every tongue shall take hold of the robe of a Jew, saying, ‘Let us go with you, for we have heard that God is with you.’” Zechariah 8:7-8,15-17,19-23

“She will bear a son, and you shall call his name Jesus, for he will save his people from their sins.” Matthew 1:21

The prophet’s words of a future gathering picture the fulfillment of the Name and gospel Jesus embodied in Bethlehem. The Savior came to save, to unite His people in faithfulness and righteousness to be a blessing and light to the world. His incarnation draws the faithful to adore and rejoice, and moves them to bring others to behold and entreat the Lord of hosts.

The season resounds with chatter of meals and festivities, togetherness and sharing, yet the world shivers in a meaningless grey winter of soul. When we remember the One celebrated at Christmas, we are wont to invite others in from the cold to know His warmth and light. A heart eager to behold and adore the new-born king will be filled with wonder and holy desire to welcome others into that place. What in our way of living causes others to say, ‘We have heard that God is with you, and want to come along’?

Whom do we know who is weary, dampened by dreary circumstances or recent losses? Who needs HIs message of gathering and the hope of salvation? Are we listening, watching for the ones the Lord would draw close? To whom will we bring His light?

“O come, all ye faithful, joyful and triumphant,
O come ye, O come ye to Bethlehem!
Come, and behold Him, born the King of angels!

God of God, Light of Light,
lo, He abhors not the virgin’s womb;
very God, begotten not created; 

Sing, choirs of angels; sing in exultation;
sing, all ye citizens of heav’n above!
Glory to God, all glory in the highest!

Yea, Lord, we greet Thee, born this happy morning;
Jesus, to Thee be all glory giv’n!
Word of the Father, now in flesh appearing! 

O come, let us adore Him;
O come, let us adore Him;
O come, let us adore Him, Christ, the Lord!” ~ John Francis Wade (1743)

Amen.