The Privilege of Worshiping the God of Fulfilled Prophesy
As we get closer and closer to Christmas, we are continuously reminded to look back at the birth of our Messiah and Redeemer. We have the privilege to “worship our King all-glorious above [and] gratefully sing his power and love” as God’s people have always done. But as those living after Christ’s first advent, we can worship Him for how He sent His son to be born of a virgin, to die for us, and to rise from the dead. We have the privilege of praising and worshiping Him for all the prophecies He has fulfilled.
Previously to Christ’s first coming nearly 2000 years ago, God’s people didn’t have that same privilege. For centuries, they longed for the promised Messiah and the fulfillment of those prophecies.
Moreover, for a period of 400 years God was silent in judgement of Israel and didn’t speak to them through the Prophets as He had in the past. Can you imagine 400 years? Many gave up hope that God would keep His promises. As is written in Come Thou Long Expected Jesus, they were captured by both their fears and their sins.
And yet, they knew where to turn for their hope. How about you? In your fear and sin this Christmas season, where do you turn for true hope?
You can almost hear their longing cries to their Father in Come, Thou Long Expected Jesus and again in O Come, O Come Emmanuel.
“O come, O come, Immanuel,
and ransom captive Israel
that mourns in lonely exile here,
until the Son of God appear.”
The chorus encourages those singing to not give up and become discouraged, but to
“Rejoice! Rejoice! Immanuel
Shall come to you, O Israel!”
Throughout the song, various OT prophecies and titles for the Messiah are referenced that would be understood by those who were longing for Him. Consider several of them:
- Immanuel – “God with us” (Isaiah 7:14; Matthew 1:23)
- Wisdom (Isaiah 11:2; Luke 2:40)
- God of Might (Isaiah 9:6; Matthew 8:27)
- Branch of Jesse’s stem (Isaiah 11:1; Luke 3:23-32
- The Key of David (Isaiah 22:20-22; Revelation 3:7)
- The Bright and Morning Star (Revelation 22:16)
- King of Nations (Isaiah 9:2; Luke 2:28-32)
- King of Peace (Isaiah 9:6; John 14:27)
At the perfect time, our Messiah did come and fulfill all these prophecies and many more. Now many years later we are still reaping the benefits of our Messiah being born and creating a way for all of us, Gentiles and Jews, to be a part of His plan in the gospel: creating one new man, in the place of two, both reconciled together and with the God whom they had sinned against.
As we will sing in Hark Herald Angels Sing, we can now all praise our God, together and along with the angels:
“peace on earth and mercy mild,
God and sinners reconciled!
Joyful, all ye nations rise,
join the triumph of the skies;
with th’angelic host proclaim,
‘Christ is born in Bethlehem!’
Hark! the herald angels sing,
‘Glory to the newborn King!’”
