with much anticipation...

My family has a tradition. It is a good tradition. Every Christmas Eve, we read the Christmas Story. So many families do the same thing. We begin the story of the coming of Messiah where most people do--in the New Testament. But a careful study of Scripture will reveal that the preparation for Messiah's coming started long before there was a "silent night" or a "midnight clear". The preparation for Messiah begins far back in the OT. Each section of the OT portrays a different element of what Messiah would be.

• The Pentateuch (Genesis-Deuteronomy) shows the need for a Perfect Priest.
• The Historical Books (Joshua-Esther) show the need for a Perfect King.
• The Poetical Books (Job-Canticles) show the need for a Perfect Shepherd.
• The Prophetical Books (Isaiah-Malachi) show the need for a Perfect Prophet.
  (for a more in depth look at this subject, see my notes here).
  

Jesus Christ was, of course, the complete fulfillment of all of this foreshadowing. As I think of Christmas, I remember the great anticipation that we all had for opening our presents on Christmas morning. We should have the same anticipation as we read the OT and its revelation of who Messiah would be. We have been given a Perfect Priest who has offered the ultimate sacrifice, the Perfect King to reign over all, the Perfect Shepherd to comfort and counsel us and the Perfect Prophet to declare God's message and change our hearts. Our hearts should burst with anticipation because Messiah came to die for us, and he is coming again to take us home. Perhaps we would also consider telling someone else about our Great Priest, King, Shepherd and Prophet?

Thanks for stopping by. Grace and Peace--CMW