Because of His Coming

Luke 1:13

New International Version (NIV)

But the angel said to him: “Do not be afraid, Zechariah; your prayer has been heard. Your wife Elizabeth will bear you a son, and you are to call him John.

For Meditation

I remember the first time the first President of Ghana, Dr. Kwame Nkrumah, visited my hometown. I was in elementary school then and a proud member of the Young Pioneers (YP), a group the President had formed to inculcate nationalism in the youth. Before the President’s arrival, many things changed in my town. All the potholes in the road from Ejisu, the district capital, got filled. The houses on the main street received a facelift with fresh paint, and our youth group received new flags and scarves for the occasion. It was all because the President was coming to town.

A little over two thousand years ago, another sovereign visited His people. He came as a baby called Jesus. Even though He did not come as the King to reign, God orchestrated some changes to facilitate His work The Greek and Roman empires brought two notable changes. The Greek Empire gave the world a common language, and the Roman Empire provided roads to ease and propel the Gospel movement. However, something important also happened to some individuals.

An old couple received an answer to a prayer they had prayed many years ago and had given up because of their age. Zechariah and Elizabeth received a special visitation from the angel Gabriel, who announced their son’s birth to them (Lk. 1:13). The child, to be named John, came with a prophetic revelation.

And he will go on before the Lord, in the spirit and power of Elijah, to turn the hearts of the parents to their children and the disobedient to the wisdom of the righteous—to make ready a people prepared for the Lord (17).

Elizabeth conceived and rejoiced, saying,

The Lord has done this for me … In these days; he has shown his favor and taken away my disgrace among the people (25).

It was all because Jesus was coming to the world to save it.

The change continues today, based on His finished work on Calvary and His second coming. What has changed in your life as a result? Have you received the Lord’s favor, joy, and peace, as the angel pronounced to the shepherds in the field?

Glory to God in the highest heaven,

And on earth peace to those on whom his favor rests (2:14).

What are you expecting this coming Christmas because the Savior Has come, and what changes do you want to see in your life as we expect His second coming?

I pray for a significant spiritual and physical change in your life this Christmas season because Jesus is born.

Pray With Me

Dear God, thank you for the coming of your Son, Jesus Christ. Please transform my life by the grace He gives and the power your Spirit provides to enable it for your glory. Amen!