The days are coming—oracle of the LORD—when I will fulfill the promise I made to the house of Israel and the house of Judah.
In those days, at that time, I will make a just shoot spring up for David; he shall do what is right and just in the land. (Jeremiah 33:14-15 NABRE)
These words are God's, spoken through the prophet Jeremiah about 600 years before the birth of Jesus. Christians believe that Jesus is the person to whom Jeremiah makes reference, calling him a just shoot produced in the lineage of King David, saying he shall do what is right and just in the land.
Lord God, as the season of Advent begins, I thank you for this time of preparation. It is during this time I turn my heart to the greater reality of your incarnation. It is incomprehensible that you would humble yourself, Lord, and take on the form of a man. But I thank you for doing just that. It is absurd that you would desire a loving relationship with mankind, and with me personally. But I thank you for desiring just that. Your son, Jesus, restored our relationship with you and brought us a path of healing and redemption, so that I, myself, might share in your perfect peace and joy, together with you and all your people. This time of Advent preparation allows me to reflect back on the birth of Jesus and also to reflect forward to his return.
Today, on this First Sunday of Advent, I will look forward to the coming of Jesus.
Saint Clement, third successor of St. Peter, who reigned as pope during the last decade of the first century, pray for us.
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