4 Advent – Sunday

When the fullness of the time was come.

– Galatians 4:4.

We will now speak of the time when God, according to His eternal counsel, began to fulfill all the prophecies and promises regarding the coming of the Savior. For over a period of four thousand years the believers in the Old Testament had waited for this time to come. Many a time they had yearned for the Savior, crying: “Oh that Thou wouldest rend the heavens, that Thou wouldest come down!” (Isaiah 64:1). The stars of prophecy and promise shone bright and clear, and filled the night with splendor. But, despite that, it was night. The light of dawn did not yet brighten the eastern sky, and the Sun, the eternal Sun, the “Sun of righteousness” (Malachi 4:2) had not yet arisen. Generation upon generation of believers had died in faith – waiting, hoping, trusting – that the fullness of time would come. And their waiting, hope, and trust was not to be put to shame. The fullness of time did come. The Apostle says, in words inspired by the Holy Ghost: “When the fullness of the time was come.” He speaks of that which has actually come to pass. The dawn has appeared, the Sun has arisen, over 2000 years ago. Present-day believers, looking back in faith upon what has come to pass, joyfully shout: “Hallelujah! Christ has come!” All the promises of God in Him are “Yes,” and in Him “Amen,” to the glory of God. God always makes good His promises. He will surely also fulfill all the promises pertaining to the coming of Christ on the Last Day, and the coming of his eternal kingdom, the Kingdom of Glory in heaven. No promise of the Lord shall fail. As we wait, let His Word continue to uphold us!

PRAYER. – Lord God, Thou hast fulfilled Thy promises. Thou hast sent Thy Son. Thou hast sent us our Savior. The Sun did arise, and He gives light to us in Thy Word. Therefore we are glad. Hallelujah! O Jesus, my Sun, my Lord, shine within my heart, and dispel all the shades of night! O Thou Holy Ghost – Spirit of the Father and of the Son – let me live and die in faith, and thereafter let me arise with joy and enter eternal life. Amen.

What the fathers most desired,

What the prophets’ heart inspired,

What they longed for many a year,

Stands fulfilled in glory here.

Abram’s promised great Reward,

Zion’s Helper, Jacob’s Lord,

Him of twofold race behold,

Truly came, as long foretold.

Hymn 91, 2. 3.

Epistle: Philippians 4:4-7

Gospel: John 1:19-28