Day 1: Foretold

There was a tremendous buildup to the birth of Jesus Christ throughout the Old Testament, as God continually promised a Savior from the family of David in Scripture. From Abraham to Judah to Boaz to Jesse to David to both Mary and Joseph, we trace that straight and undeniable lineage. But the exact manner in which a Messiah would come was not clearly perceived. No one could fathom the depth of love that would involve the Divine stepping down from his throne to dwell with his people. No one could fully understand that he would actually bear our sins away in his very own human body. We Christians are uniquely blessed to look back at the story of redemption: foretold, long-awaited, and now accomplished. Who could have imagined the Baby Jesus? But this mystery has been revealed to us. Do not take this for granted. Thank God for the prophecies he has fulfilled, the salvation from judgement he has given, and that land of endless day that awaits us.

Scriptures to consider:
There shall come forth a shoot from the stump of Jesse, and a branch form his roots shall bear fruit. Isaiah 11:1

Who has believed what he has heard from us? And to whom has the arm of the Lord been revealed? For he grew up before him like a young plant, and like a root out of dry ground; he had no form or majesty that we should look at him, and no beauty that we should desire him. He was despised and rejected by men; a man of sorrows, and acquainted with grief; and as one from whom men hide their faces he was despised, and we esteemed him not. Surely he has born our griefs and carried our sorrows; yet we esteemed him stricken, smitten by God, and afflicted. But he was wounded for our transgressions; he was crushed for our iniquities; upon him was the chastisement that brought us peace, and with his stripes we are healed. Isaiah 53:1-5

Hymn to enjoy:
Lo, how a rose e’er blooming,
From tender stem hath sprung.
Of Jesse’s lineage coming,
As men of old have sung;
It came, a flow’ret bright,
Amid the cold of winter,
When half spent was the night

Isaiah ’twas foretold it,
The Rose I have in mind,
With Mary we behold it,
The virgin mother kind;
To show God’s love aright,
She bore to men a Savior,
When half spent was the night.

O Savior, Child of Mary,
Who felt our human woe;
O Savior, King of Glory,
Who dost our weakness know,
Bring us at length we pray,
To the bright courts of Heaven
And to the endless day.

English translation by Theodore Baker (1851-1934); music from the 16th century

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