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The Last Eight Days of Advent
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During the last eight days of Advent, it is useful to reflect on the different titles given to the Lord who is to come. The titles are Old Testament titles, here conferred on Jesus, showing he is the promised Messiah.
Wisdom
St. Paul tells us that God's foolishness is wiser than human wisdom.
He is saying that it is hard to imagine the Wisdom of God, who knows all things,
because God has created all things. This title of God reminds us especially
of the Book of Wisdom in the Old Testament - a beautiful hymn in which wisdom
is personified, and is active in the world.
Adonai
A name for the Most High God, whose true name could not be uttered,
and of whom it was said that no-one could gaze on the face of God and live.
Adonai is the Lord of armies, who will march out to save the people in battle.
Stock of Jesse
Jesse was the father of King David, and Jesus is a descendent of David.
>From David comes the association of Jesus as royal, of David's line. Jesus
inherits the throne of David, re-defining his role as King of the Jews.
Key of David
Jesus is not simply a ruler descended from David, but a liberator,
a redeemer. This name echoes the mission of Jesus to bind and to loose, a mission
Jesus passes on to his disciples.
Rising Sun
The sun is a sign of God's creation, God's endurance, and a sign of
God's glory. God's glory outshines the sun, and will endure after the sun and
moon have failed. Psalm 84 describes God as the sun:
"For the LORD God is a sun and shield; he bestows favor and honor. No good thing does the LORD withhold from those who walk uprightly." (Psalm 84:11 NRSV)
King
God is the king above all kings, and the prophet Samuel is reluctant
to anoint a king for the Israelites as this will seem like a rejection of God's
rule. Pilate asks Jesus if he is a king; Jesus answers indirectly, because his
kingship does not accord with the expectations of the Romans, the Jewish authorities,
or even his followers.
Emmanuel
The prophecy of Isaiah foretells a sign to be given by God: a virgin will conceive
and give birth to a son whom she will call Emmanuel: a name which means God
is with us. Jesus is the word made flesh, God in the midst of the people.
© Liguori Publications Excerpt from Advent - A Quality Storecupboard The Congregation of the Most Holy Redeemer
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The weeks of Advent remind us to set aside some of the hectic business of the holiday season, and to quietly reflect on the promise of the baby born in Bethlehem 2000 years ago. The Bible readings listed below relate to the Advent themes of waiting, preparation, light in the darkness, and the coming of the promised Messiah. continue reading
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