Advent|Dec.15th ~Celebrating our Rescuer's Coming!

Sarah & I would like to share with you one of our "first" traditions (if we can call it a tradition yet). We decided to get an Advent calendar for our Christmas season! 1. Because I don't remember the last time I ever went through an Advent calendar 2. Because it's cool and we live in Seattle 3. Because it's biblical (thought I should add this one). We are celebrating Advent, because the word means "coming," and reminds Sarah & I of the best "coming" there ever was! The arrival of our Rescuer, Jesus Christ!

December 15th! Day 15!

It was good to have a day to spend time with my wife, talking about life and spiritual things and just getting to know my wife a little bit more :-) Marriage is a growing process, and a beautiful one at that (though not always easy). 

Today we got to focus on the character Simeon, particularly from Luke 2:25-32. The amazing thing about his story is that, here in Luke we see all three Persons of the Trinity mentioned within this short account. The Holy Spirit reveals to Simeon that he would not die until he saw Jesus. And then when He does finally meet Jesus here, as he's being led by the Spirit to do so, He lifts the baby up and blesses God in the process. The Spirit leads Simeon to Jesus, and Simeon blesses God for being a witness to "the Lord's Rescuer." (v. 26-28) Wow! 

What a cool thought that should make us all pause in wonder and amazement! At least Sarah and I did. All three Persons of the Trinity, God the Spirit, God the Son, and God the Father, are all here, present for the entrance of Jesus into the temple. Here was the light that would shine into the darkness of the world and bring truth. Here was the glory of Israel, the prophesied Rescuer whom they had been waiting for! All wrapped up in this newborn babe, Jesus the Son of God. And here was the Trinity, all together as One, celebrating as One, unified as One, confirming the Comforter of Israel had arrived :-)

There's another crucial point in Jesus' life where this same thing occurs again! Remember at the beginning of Jesus' ministry, at the age of 30. He comes to John the Baptist to be baptized and the Trinity is all fully present to celebrate and confirm that Jesus is the Son of God, Savior of the world. Matthew records this for us, "And when Jesus was baptized, immediately he went up from the water, and behold, the heavens were opened to Him, and He saw the Spirit of God descending like a dove and coming to rest on Him; and behold a voice from heaven said, This is My beloved Son, with whom I am well pleased." (Matt 3:16-17)

What an awesome thing. To know the Trinity was all of the same mind about this rescue mission plan. They were all heralding the same message. Jesus was the Son of God, sent by God to bring salvation to all who would turn from their sins and believe in Him! He had finally come, He was here! And all of heaven had shown up to announce and participate in this great news!