Christmastime, even for many non-Christians, is a time of giving and receiving and being together as family. And while this is true for many, sadly the opposite also occurs, with family rifts and the pain of brokenness seemingly re-ignited. COVID-19 seems to have provided the opportunity to refocus on home, but even this seems fleeting to many. This is doubly sad when you see that Christmas was a time when God came in the form of Christ as a Babe, to begin the journey of a life that brought us the truth that we can be reconciled to our Father, and each other, in Jesus. So, while gifts were also shared at the time, and so to people gathering (at Bethlehem), this was (and is) also a time where there is a grace for reconciliation. Satan, who is very real, knows this and does his best to upset this plan, and thus the fractures of family are fanned by his lying voices during this time.
With all that in mind, God looks to us to minister the power of His love, by the Holy Spirit, that will see healing to the broken. There is even a special grace from Him given to some to see the hearts of fathers turned to children, and children to fathers. This ministry about reconciling people to our heavenly Father, as well as reconciliation amongst church families and natural families. God’s call to us is to seek Him, and this empowering (anointing) by the Holy Spirit, both now, and particularly as His return becomes imminent…which is upon us. There will be an outpouring upon modern day Elijah’s, who will be used by God to bring light to these hidden in darkness, alone from Him and their family. These anointed ones carry a message and equipping to draw them to Life, and a place of God’s peace. Unlike the first Advent, this is less likely to be the role of one person (i.e. John the Baptist), rather the role of a faithful remnant of the church, those in love with Christ, and seeking to draw nearer to Him.
So, as we prepare during Advent for this Christmas, may our prayer be that God will pour out on us a fresh anointing and equipping by the Holy Spirit to turn hearts to Him, and to each other. Let us enjoy the moments of reconciliation and family, rather than gifts, and by the Holy Spirit shed abroad His light through the truth of His word and love, trusting in the convicting and drawing work of the Holy Spirit. There is an urgency in this work, for the power of this will turn away curses that could strike the whole earth, and perhaps as we pursue this we are urging on the return of Christ Jesus.
“And you, child, will be called the prophet of the Highest; For you will go before the face of the Lord to prepare His ways, to give knowledge of salvation to His people by the remission of their sins, through the tender mercy of our God, with which the Dayspring from on high has visited us; To give light to those who sit in darkness and the shadow of death, to guide our feet into the way of peace.” (Luke 1:76-79)
“For behold, the day is coming, burning like an oven, and all the proud, yes, all who do wickedly will be stubble. And the day which is coming shall burn them up,” Says the Lord of hosts, “That will leave them neither root nor branch. But to you who fear My name the Sun of Righteousness shall arise with healing in His wings; And you shall go out and grow fat like stall-fed calves. You shall trample the wicked, for they shall be ashes under the soles of your feet on the day that I do this,” says the Lord of hosts. “Remember the Law of Moses, My servant, which I commanded him in Horeb for all Israel, with the statutes and judgments. Behold, I will send you Elijah the prophet before the coming of the great and dreadful day of the Lord. And he will turn the hearts of the fathers to the children, and the hearts of the children to their fathers, lest I come and strike the earth with a curse.” (Malachi 4)
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