Avent Day 10

Graphic from http://sarablarson.blogspot.com

Advent is a time when I remember that Israel longed for the birth of the Messiah.  It’s a time when I ponder what it means for the Messiah to have come and to be real in my life.  Passages such as Isaiah 40:3-11 and Isaiah 61:1-7 provide beautiful pictures of this double truth.  Jesus was the awaited Messiah.  As I celebrate advent and remember His birth, He is my Messiah.

Portions of the Isaiah 61 passage, the 2nd half of the first verse through the first half of the third verse, in the Message paraphrase capture my attention today:

He sent me to preach good news to the poor,
    heal the heartbroken,
Announce freedom to all captives,
    pardon all prisoners.
GOD sent me to announce the year of his grace—
 a celebration of God’s destruction of our enemies—
    and to comfort all who mourn,
To care for the needs of all who mourn in Zion,

I’ve accepted Jesus as my Messiah; my savior and my Lord.  This means
I’m to participate in His work in my world today.  Who are the broken
hearted around me?  Where do I come in contact with people who are
captives and prisoners?  Who does He want me to announce His grace and
bring comfort to?

Father, help me see this very day who these people are that you are
bringing into my life.  May I not miss any opportunities to be used by
you to bring healing, comfort, encouragement and hope to the people
with whom I am in contact today.