Window 24) Shepherds …

[Looking at some of the prophecies about the Advent of the promised coming Saviour/Messiah]

Window 24)  Shepherds …

An angel came to shepherds lowly
to tell them of Christ’s birth –
a Saviour bringing joy, God’s blessing
to humble folk throughout the earth.

“ I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people. …” Luke 2:1-10

Window 23) The Star

From lands afar
they followed the special star
to find the King
and worship him.

We saw his star in the east and have come to worship him. Matthew 2:2

Window 22) Simeon

Simeon had known, was shown,
he would not die
until he’d seen God’s Christ.
And Mary saw her baby lie
there in his arms,
and of Jesus’s saving work
she heard him prophesy.

It had been revealed to him by the Holy Spirit that he would not die before he had seen the Lord’s Christ. Luke 2:26

Window 21) The message to Joseph
Joseph, betrothed to Mary,
was puzzled, but fair –
an angel appeared, to
tell him too, in a dream
that the child was conceived
by the Holy Spirit to be
the Saviour,
of his people –
Jesus –
Immanuel, which means
God with us.

You are to give him the name Jesus, because he will save his people from their sins. from verse 21 of Matthew 1:18-25

Window 20) Gabriel said, ‘You will be with child …

God sent the angel Gabriel
to Nazareth, to Mary
(pledged to marry Joseph soon)
astounding message –
responsibility and favour
to be mother of the Saviour –
eternal King now comes to earth,
for by God’s Spirit power
he will have human birth.
Luke 1:26-38

Window 19) The angel sent to tell Zechariah

Zechariah didn’t believe that this message could be –
that his wife could at last bear a son –
who would preach to prepare
the people to receive
their Messiah, accept and believe:
Zecharaiah made dumb ’til the child was born,
and as he’d been told, he called him ‘John’.

‘And now you will be silent and not able to speak until the day this happens, because you did not believe my words, which will come true at their proper time.’ Luke 1: 20

Window 18) There will be a messenger to prepare the people for Christ

John the Baptist would come to prepare
so the people were ready God’s Word to hear,
though still many wanted freedom from Rome,
and to see Christ in splendour,
not first an an urgent Rebuker and Teacher, and Saviour.

”I will send my mesenger, who will prepare the way before me. Then suddenly the Lord you are seeking … the messenger of the covenant whom you desire, will come”, says the Lord Almighty. Malachi 3:1

Window 17) A king riding a donkey
A righteous king will bring salvation,
and humbly on a donkey ride
and so Jesus did, when
they flocked to his side,
with branches of palm,
and praise from the psalm.

Rejoice greatly … your king comes to you, righteous and having salvation, gentle and riding on a donkey … Zechariah 9:9 (see Matthew 21:1-9 and John 12:12-15)

Window 16) to be born in Bethlehem

Eternal God became a babe
born in Bethlehem
– from old, foretold –
to be the Christ, Messiah, King
his people to redeem.

Bethlehem … though you are small among the clans of Judah, out of you will come for me one who will be ruler over Israel, whose origins are from of old, from ancient times. Micah 5:2

Window 15) The suffering Servant

God’s special servant will be wise,
but many will be shocked,
astonished, shun –
his life begun
so quietly but then
would take the punishment
that brings us peace, and when
he’s risen from the dead
he’ll see his saved ones and be glad.

My servant will act wisely; he will be raised and lifted up and highly exalted … he was despised …  the punishment that brings us peace was upon him … After the suffering of his soul, he will see the light of life and be satisfied. Isaiah 52:13, 53:3b, 5b, 11

Window 14) to lift up the broken …
God’s servant to come
filled with his Spirit,
a light for the gentile nations,
bringing hope and justice and liberations,
hurt hearts he’ll soothe,
and wounds he’ll bind,
sight to the blind,
revive the crumbling,
and strengthen the stumbling,
their tongues and ways
will bring him praise.

My chosen one in whom I delight … A bruised reed he will not break, and a smouldering wick he will not snuff out … I will… make you to be a covenant for the people and a light for the Gentiles, to open
the eyes that are blind … he anointed me to preach good news to the poor. He has sent me to bind up the broken-hearted, to proclaim freedom for the captives … Isaiah 42: 1,6,7 & 61:1,3

Window 13) He will be Wonderful Counsellor …
A great light for those in darkness
when the child is born
who will be
Wonderful Counsellor,
Mighty God,
Everlasting Father,
Prince of Peace:
Messiah coming to save,
and then will come
to reign over his kingdom
and rule his earth.

The people walking in darkness have seen a great light; … For to us a child is born, to us a son is given …he will be called Wonderful Counsellor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. Of the increase of his government and peace there will be no end … . Isaiah 9: 2,6,7a

Window 12) Really human and divine, to be Saviour

A virgin young to have a child
whose name to be ‘God with us’
and this would fully be fulfilled
when Christ was born, his birth miraculous.

All this took place to fulfil what the Lord had said through the prophet: The virgin will be with child and will give birth to a son, and they will call him Immanuel – which means “God with us” Matthew 1:22, 23

Window 11) He will be welcomed in all the world …

When Christ arrives,
God’s Word will reach
to all the world,
and many then will want to hear
the gospel which his followers teach.

In the last days … Many people will come and say, ”Come let us go … to the house of the God of Jacob. He will teach us his way, so that we may walk in his paths.” The law will go out from Zion, the word of the Lord from Jerusalem. Isaiah 2:2, 3

Window 10) A Coming King to be also Priest …
A king to be a priest for ever –
authority and perfect sacrifice together
– a powerful Saviour.

“You are a priest for ever” Psalm 110:4

Window 9) The stone the builders rejected …

God told he was building a sure salvation,
though many would reject this secure foundation,
and Christ the Cornerstone and Rock
whom he’d soon send –
on whom to trust,
stand steady, rest.

See I lay a stone in Zion, a tested stone, a precious cornerstone for a sure foundation; the one who trusts will never be dismayed. Isaiah 28:16  The stone the builders rejected has become the capstone. Psalm 118:22

Window 8) Suffering in place of …

The Psalm Jesus quotes on the cross
foretells of one having to bear
suffering so great,
yet under God’s care;
crucifixion pain,
and lots cast for clothes,
and then living to glorify
God again.

‘My God, my God, why have you forsaken me? …They have pierced my hands and
my feet … They divide my garments among them and cast lots for my clothing. … I will  declare your name …’  he has not hidden his face from him … Psalm 22:1, 16, 18, 22, 24 (see Matthew 27:35, 45)

Window 7) A Coming Perfect King

A kingly line to eternity –
for the King of kings
would be born
to King David’s posterity.

To David: Your house and your kingdom shall endure for ever before me; your throne shall be established for ever. 2 Samuel 7:16 

Window 6) The Great Teacher will come

A very special prophet
promised, who will come to lead
and bring God’s Word:
Listen to great profit,
heeding all from him
you’ve read and heard.

The Lord your God will raise up for you a prophet like me from among your own brothers. You must listen to him … ‘I will put my words in his mouth.'  Deuteronomy 18:15,18

Window 5) The Scapegoat:

[He is to lay both hands on the head of the live goat and confess over it all the wickedness and rebellion of the Israelites – all their sins – and put them on the goat’s head. He shall send the goat away into the desert … The goat will carry on itself all their sin to a solitary place; and the man shall release it in the desert. Leviticus 16:21-22]

And this would be fulfilled:
– with sins removed when Christ is killed:
as far as east is from the west,
salvation means we’re truly blessed,
our sins no more remembered.

Symbolic foretelling Window 4)

Detailed instructions were given
for sacrifices to show the need
of death for sin,
but a perfect Son indeed must bleed 
for our wrong, if we’re to be
reconciled, and clean and free.

The gifts and sacrifices being offered were not able to clear the conscience of the  worshipper.  … How much more then will the blood of Christ … cleanse our conscience from acts that lead to death, so that we may serve the living God! Hebrews 9:9,14

The True King … Window  3)

A promise that from Judah’s tribe,
will come a King who will hold sway
on all the nations of the earth, one day.

‘The sceptre will not depart from Judah, nor the ruler’s staff from between his feet, until he comes to whom it belongs, and the obedience of the nations is his.’ Genesis 49:10

Time moves forward … Window 2)
From Abraham will come, one day
an offered worldwide way for peace
with God, sin’s reign to cease.

‘All peoples on earth will be blessed through you.’ Genesis 12:3b

Whose Advent is Expected? Window 1)
A human son 
will overcome
– redeeming from Satan’s scheming.

The Lord God said to the serpent … ‘I will put enmity between … your offspring and hers; he will crush your head, and you will strike his heel.’ Genesis 3:15