Readings: Jeremiah 23:5-8; Psalm 24; Romans 13:(8-10)11-14; Matthew 21:1-9
Contrast the two readings for this day. The gospel reading:
“Say to the daughter of Zion,’Behold, your king is coming to you,
humble, and mounted on a donkey,
and on a colt, the foal of a beast of burden.’”"Say to the daughter of Zion,’Behold, your king is coming to you,
humble, and mounted on a donkey,
and on a colt, the foal of a beast of burden.’”
And the reading from the psalms:
7 Lift up your heads, O gates!
And be lifted up, O ancient doors,
that the King of glory may come in.
8Who is this King of glory?
The LORD, strong and mighty,
the LORD, mighty in battle!
9Lift up your heads, O gates!
And lift them up, O ancient doors,
that the King of glory may come in.
10Who is this King of glory?
The LORD of hosts,
he is the King of glory!
Israel was expecting the Messiah prophesied in the Psalms what they received was what was fulfilled in the gospel. The incarnate Lord condescended to come as a humble baby the first time. When he comes again it will be as the Lord of Glory to whom every knee will bow and every tongue will confess. On this first day of Advent let us look to Christ as the Lord of Glory!
