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12/31/2024 0 Comments The Arrival - It Is Written Image Credit: NASA/JPL-Caltech/S.Willner (Havard Smithsonian Center for Astrophysics). Oxford Languages Dictionary Advent: the arrival of a notable person, thing, or event CHRISTIAN THEOLOGY: the coming or second coming of Christ A lot happened before Jesus, the Christ, was laid in a manger. The advent or arrival of a notable person or event in the earth realm was momentous! The second coming of Christ also promises to be AWESOME! “Mary was pledged to be married to Joseph, but before they came together, she was found to be pregnant through the Holy Spirit. Because Joseph her husband was faithful to the law, and yet did not want to expose her to public disgrace, he had in mind to divorce her quietly.” (Matthew 1:18-19). Mary became pregnant through the Holy Spirit. Her husband, whom one can sympathize with, planned to divorce her without making any fuss or demands, however, an angel advised him not to reject Mary. Fear of infidelity, pregnancy, thoughts about divorce, distrust, disappointment, pain, humiliation. The latter was experienced, in significant ways, by Mary and Joseph. After supernatural intervention, Joseph and Mary committed to each other as husband and wife. There are situations that may seem insurmountable, however, with God all things are possible. Mary and Joseph were selected to support and facilitate the birth and growth of the person of Jesus Christ who is Holy God manifested in the flesh. God Head - Father, Son and Holy Spirit. Three in One. Like Joseph, our Father in heaven in committed to us, His Creation. Our infidelities and imperfections do not nullify the Grace the Lord has for us. We have been given choice and there are consequences. Scripture also highlights a time the Lord will come back for a church without spot or wrinkle. Soon after Jesus’ birth they had to escape to Egypt in Africa. In an attempt to kill King Jesus, who the wisemen had sought and found, Herod ordered all boys from birth to two years old to be murdered. It is hard to fathom the senseless slaughter of new born babies and children. “A voice is heard in Ramah weeping and great mourning…” Matthew 2:18 In the book of Matthew it is recorded that dreams, visions and divine visitations were used to inform Joseph and Mary and all those who were witnesses before, during and after the birth of Jesus, the Christ. One of the most significant visitations is recorded in the book of Luke: “Suddenly a great company of the heavenly host appeared with the angel, praising God and saying, Glory to God in the highest heaven, and on earth peace to those on whom his favor rests.” (Luke 2:14). Signs and glorious wonders were an integral part of the birth of Jesus. What signs are we seeing today? The covenant word, the Bible, highlights the promise that Jesus will return. During this advent season we can use this time, in faith, to rejoice in the birth of Christ Jesus, and also prepare for His return. “Just as people are destined to die once, and after that to face judgment, so Christ was sacrificed once to take away the sins of many; and he will appear a second time, not to bear sin, but to bring salvation to those who are waiting for him.” Hebrews 9:27-28 © 2018-2025 Annette O. Brown Creations, Media. All rights reserved. Written permission must be secured by the author.
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 ***Note: Minor update of the original post made here by A.O. Brown *12/31/2018 ILLUMINATION The Announcement “In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was with God in the beginning. Through him all things were made; without him nothing was made that has been made. In him was life, and that life was the light of all mankind. The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it.” John 1 v 1- v5 (NIV). This morning I read John 1, a scripture I have read many times and heard many interpretations of. The Holy Spirit, of course, always provides new revelations and insight. The Word is a part of God. The Word is God. Just as we, in similar manner, speak, our Creator spoke Christ into existence. This Christ was an illumination of God, a part of Himself. John describes this essence of God coming as light into the dark, blind, unknowing, non comprehending creation. He came in the form of Jesus the Christ to us, and we, his very creation and made in His image, did not recognize Him. Recognition, as unveiled by scripture, came to some, when the Lord used specific sources and means to reveal Himself. Luke records in scripture that a host of angels appeared to a group of shepherds. The juxtaposition of heaven and earth is revealed in this glorious visitation of heavenly beings to shepherds on earth. “Suddenly a great company of the heavenly host appeared with the angel, praising God and saying, “Glory to God in the highest heaven, and on earth peace to those on whom his favor rests.” " Luke 2 v13-14 Transformed by their experience the shepherds went to see the child that they were told about and after experiencing the child, announced earlier to them, they told everyone about their encounter. The Witness “There once was a man, his name John, sent by God to point out the way to the Life-Light. He came to show everyone where to look, who to believe in. John was not himself the Light; he was there to show the way to the Light.” John 1 v6-8 (Messenger). John knew that he was “tailor made” to be a witness of the coming of the kingdom of God and the coming of the Christ. His whole life was dedicated to this purpose and when he saw Jesus he announced: “Behold the Lamb of God, which taketh away the sin of the world.” John 1 v 29. (NIV) The Word Do we recognize the Word sent by God today? The Christ came, fully God and fully man, to be a light and a witness to us. Jesus the Christ, a manifested gift of our creator’s agape love! We have been provided with a gospel that is recorded in the Bible. These records are important tools for insight and teaching. Our personal response to a “personal God” is the key, however, to tapping into the benefits and revelation the Lord provides. Let us receive Him and believe in His name so we can become the children or offspring of God that we were originally designed to be. il·lu·mi·na·tion/iˌlo͞oməˈnāSH(ə)n/ noun
© 2018-2025, Annette O. Brown Creations, Media. All rights reserved. Written permission must be secured by the author. |
AuthorAnnette Brown embarked on a life journey of Christianity, over 20 years ago. A reflective educator and avid constructivist - reflection has been a part of her daily work and a tool for personal growth and assessment. Birthed out of this practice is reflection connected to divinely inspired insight and revelation . Her first book "Encounters and Reflections - Can you hear me now" encompasses these perspectives through a lens of story telling and photographic images. Archives
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© 2018-2025 Annette O. Brown Creations, Media. All rights reserved. Written permission must be secured by the author.