Soothing to the Soul

Saints Basil the Great and Gregory Nazianzen, 

Bishops and Doctors of the Church

~~~ 1 John 2:22-28 ~~~ Psalm 98 ~~~ John 1:19-28 ~~~

In the past God spoke to our ancestors through the prophets;

in these last days, he has spoken to us through the Son.

(Heb 1:1,2)

The one announced by John the Baptist...

The one who is not recognized is now with us.

There is no longer a need for God to speak to us through others.

His Son is here. His Son speaks only the words of the Father.

His Son, Jesus, came to do the will of the Father.

Jesus is the 'one' who came after John the Baptist.

Anyone who denies the Son does not have the Father,

but whoever confesses the Son has the Father as well.

The great mystery of the union between the Father and the Son

is further emphasized in this passage.

You cannot have the Son without also having the Father.

They are inseparable...united as one God.

The prophets served God's purpose well,

but now we have Jesus, the incarnate person of God.

The prophets paved the way for the Messiah's presence,

yet some still refuse to believe.

And now, children, remain in him,

so that when he appears we may have confidence

and not be put to shame by him at his coming.

As those who believe in the birth of Jesus..

we now wait until he appears to escort us home.

We can chose now to live each day this year

in obedient anticipation

 of our reunion with God in heaven.

Live boldly, live in confidence; the Messiah is with us.

The Lord has made his salvation known...

How are you responding?

We can lie to ourselves in secret,

but God knows what is in the depths of our soul.

The open arms of the child Jesus reminds us of his tenderness,

 his mercy, and his unconditional love.

Certainly we are not worthy, but we are totally...

completely loved in spite of our sinfulness.

All the ends of the earth have seen

the salvation by our God.

Let us rejoice and be glad...

for a child has been born unto us.

Blessings pour forth from his heart

reaching out to our heart.

Let this great love soothe your soul.

~~~Peace~~~