Look! I am sending my messenger! He will prepare the way before me. Then suddenly the Lord, whom you are seeking, will come to his temple! The Messenger of the Covenant, in whom you delight, will surely come, says the Lord of Armies. Malachi 3:1

There is great fanfare surrounding the President of the United States. At the State of the Union Address, the Deputy Sergeant of Arms first announces the Vice President and the members of the Senate. With dramatic timing and pageantry, the Sergeant at Arms then announces the arrival of the President. The moment is under heavy security with some 3,200 special agents and 1,300 uniformed officers serving the President in Washington. The President’s entry anywhere does not go unnoticed.

Compare this to the entry of our Lord Jesus Christ into this world. There was no great earthly fanfare leading up to His entering His public ministry. No official sergeant at arms pronounced His coming. In the backside of nowhere, a ragtag prophet dressed in camel’s hair and a leather belt served as His messenger. Our Lord needed to make no monumental speech because His Father spoke it all for Him. “This is My Son, whom I love; with Him I am well pleased.”

You see, Jesus did not come to ascend to an earthly throne, to sit in a palace, to proclaim His greatness as an earthly king. Jesus came, instead, to His temple. His speech echoed the same truths John the Baptist had preached. Repent for the Kingdom of Heaven is near. Believe in Me, and you will be saved. He came to establish His rule over our hearts.

As we await the celebration of His birth, let us find Him where He has promised us He will be. Come to Him at His temple. Come and gather around His Word as we join together as members of His royal family to worship. Open your heart to hear Him speak. As you do, He will continue to build His kingdom in your heart and through your life.

Blessings on your Advent season, Frank Van Brocklin Principal/Staff Minister