Between decking the halls, wrapping gifts, and eating sugar-coated goodies, we often forget that the first Christmas was preceded not with light-hearted merriment, but with a long history of anxious anticipation for a coming Savior.
In the garden of Eden, Adam and Eve took of the forbidden fruit severing the perfect relationship that they had with God. In Genesis 3:15, we see God’s merciful promise that one day the serpent would be crushed by the offspring of Eve. From that point on, the Old Testament echoes a yearning question...
When will he come?
In the days of Noah, humanity had sunk deep into evil and violent sin. Only Noah was found to be righteous, so God delivered Noah and his family from the world-wide flood to start anew. The new start, however, was corrupted yet again with sin. The need for a Savior echoes forward.
When will he come?
God chose to set Abraham and his future family apart as his people. He made them great in number, delivered them miraculously from oppressive Egypt, and set them on a course for the Promised Land. Even after that, the Israelites doubted God’s ability to deliver on his promise. God’s chosen people chose not to believe him.
When will he come?
Once in the Promised Land, Israel wants to be like the other nations so they ask for a king. Saul, David, and then a myriad of kings lead Israel. Some fail miserably, and others fail less miserably. Even David, the man after God’s own heart, is not the one who leads Israel perfectly.
When will he come?
Years of rebellion, prophetic warnings, and eventually exile fill the pages of the Old Testament. Even after the remnant returns to Israel, where is their promised deliverance?
When will he come?
Then silence. There are 400 years without a prophet of God. The Jews are under the rule of Rome. They wait for a deliverer in the form of a conquering king, but lowly and mild, a child is born.
The angels sing of his birth, the humble shepherds witness his coming, and kings pay him homage. This One - the offspring of Eve, the Righteous, the Fulfillment of Promise, the King above all kings, the Great Deliverer - comes not for political revolution, but for something vastly more important, permanent and enduring. He comes to free the captives of sin and death. He comes to forgive and heal. He comes to die our death. He comes to restore our relationship with God. He comes to empower the people of God to accomplish God’s mission to make his name known.
The coming one came and will come again. He lived, died, and is alive. He did conquer and will conquer. Praise be to God who sent our Savior, at last.
Kristen Ferguson is a member of Lakeshore City Church. As a wife, mom, and Director of Online Education for Gateway Seminary, she strives to make Christ's name known around the world.