In
The Word – Faith – Advent Part 2
Last week I started a four-part series on Advent. Remember, Advent is a reminder of how the
world waited for the Messiah and how Christians wait for the second coming of
Christ today. There are four weeks of
Advent and a different theme for each week.
The themes are hope, faith, joy, and peace. Let’s look at the second theme this week –
Faith.
Christmas is all about faith. Every person or group of people we
associate with the Christmas story demonstrates a tremendous amount of faith.
Mary, Joseph, the shepherds, and the wise men can all teach us a valuable
lesson on faith.
Mary’s response to “the angel Gabriel” is so full of
faith. In Luke 1:38 after she had been
given some amazing news, delivered by an angel, Mary simply responded, “Behold
the handmaid of the Lord; be it unto me according to thy word.” This message from Gabriel changed her life
from that moment on, and by faith, she was obedient to the Word of God.
Joseph also exhibits a lot of faith. Joseph had a visit from “the angel of the
Lord”. However, those that would mock
and excuse, did not exhibit faith. Joseph’s
faith was stronger than the mocking and the ridicule. His response to the angel is recorded in
Matthew 1:24, “Then Joseph being raised from sleep did as the angel of the Lord
had bidden him, and took unto him his wife.”
The shepherds did not have to see Jesus perform any miracles, or
even hear Him preach a message for their faith to shine. After a visit from a “heavenly host” of angels
the shepherds, by faith went to find Jesus. After finding Jesus lying in a manger, in
Bethlehem, the shepherds “made known abroad the saying which was told them
concerning this child”.
Perhaps the group that demonstrates the greatest amount of
faith, would be the wise men. Not only
did they travel a great distance following a star, they also, “being warned of
God in a dream that they should not return to Herod, they departed into their
own country another way.” Matthew 2:12.
All of these examples of faith surrounding the Christmas story
should help us to increase our faith. We
know “without faith it is impossible
to please him.”
Hebrews 11:6. Advent is a perfect time to
exercise our faith by sharing the good news of Jesus Christ with those whom He
puts in our path. Not only has Jesus
come, but He is also coming again according to His own words. John 14:3b, “I will
come again, and receive you unto myself; that where I am, there ye may be also.”
Share this message with someone this Christmas season.
Elder Tim White
Ider, Alabama
