Dec 03, 2015
Scripture of the Day: Isaiah 9:1-7
Thought of the day: Jesus The Christ
Who are we approaching? We began the Advent Lent by turning
to Jesus Christ. As Christians we are so used to such expressions that they
have even become cliché. Let us spend a few days meditating on the identity of
Jesus. We ought to reexamine the scriptures to assist us in this meditation. The
Gospel of St Matthew opens by declaring “An account of the genealogy of Jesus
the Messiah, the son of David, the son of Abraham.” Let us reflect on the title
Messiah.
St John the Theologian teaches us that “Everyone who
believes that Jesus is the Christ is born of God” (1 John 5:1). Why is it
important to believe that Jesus is the Christ? The Greek word Christos means
anointed one (Messiah is simply the Hebrew equivalent). The most basic
Christian confession is that Jesus is the Christ. When we confess this we are
confessing Jesus to be one who is spoken of by the prophets.
The prophecy given through Isaiah in chapter 9 clarifies
Jesus’ identity as the Messiah. It says that “The people who walked in darkness
have seen a great light; those who lived in a land of deep darkness— on them light has shined” (Isaiah 9:2). The
messiah brings light to darkness. In fact the messiah is light. Often our lives
are covered in darkness. We are often stumbling in this gloomy existence. It is
into such a bleak world that the bright light of the Christ shines. This is why
one of the symbols of Christmas season is a star. Just as the star guided the
wise men on their journey, Christ guides us on our journeys too.
Song of the Day:
Icon of the Day:
Quote of the day:
Bethlehem this day resembles heaven; hearing from the stars
the singing of angelic voices; and in place of the sun, enfolds within itself
on every side, the Sun of justice. And ask not how: for where God wills, the
order of nature yields. For He willed; He had the power; He descended; He
redeemed; all things yielded in obedience to God. This day He Who is, is Born;
and He Who is, becomes what He was not. For when He was God, He became man; yet
not departing from the Godhead that is His. Nor yet by any loss of divinity became
He man, nor through increase became He God from man; but being the Word He
became flesh, His nature, because of impassability, remaining unchanged. – St John
Chrysostom Homily on Nativity (http://www.antiochian.org/node/21955
)
No comments:
Post a Comment