She will bear a son, and you shall call his name Jesus, for he will save his people from their sins.” All this took place to fulfill what the Lord had spoken by the prophet “Behold, the virgin shall conceive and bear a son, and they shall call his name Immanuel” – Matthew 1:21-23

All of history was building up to the birth of Jesus. God had told His people over and over again of a Savior to come. This Savior would rescue them from their sins and reign as King of all the earth. A child would be born of a virgin and would be called Immanuel, “God with us.”

Throughout the seemingly endless years of the first Advent, God’s people were yearning, longing, waiting for this Messiah. Who would He be? When would He come? “Will God really do what He said He would do?” they wondered. This was the ultimate promise! And God would far exceed expectations. He would not settle for sending someone else. God alone would be our King and Savior, fully God and fully man. He would be “God with us.”

In Jesus, God was seen for who He really is. When we look at the fulfillment of this great promise, we stand in awe. We are able to face our own questions and doubts, remembering what God has already done! We can look ahead with hopeful, eager anticipation, because He has already fulfilled the ultimate promise, and He is faithful to fulfill His promises, still!

Meditation: According to the calendar, this Advent season is only four weeks long. In reality, we have lived our entire lives within the second Advent, hungry to see our Savior’s second coming with our own eyes. Dwell on the mystery that Jesus is fully God and fully man, His birth the evidence of God’s character and love. He keeps His promises! He will return, and we await His coming...

Prayer: God, I believe Your promises. Help me to find assurance in Your gospel when everything appears hopeless to my own eyes and the wait seems too long. You know my heart’s desire—I ask that You be the answer to that longing.