"Behold, I will send My messenger, and he shall prepare the way before Me."
- Malachi 3:1
 
Through Malachi, the Prophet whose book closes the OT, the LORD gave a prophecy concerning a messenger, a herald, who shall prepare the way before Him when He would make His appearance on earth. The NT reveals beyond all doubt that the messenger referred to is John the Baptist. At his birth his father, Zacharias, made this significant statement: "And thou, child--shalt go before the face of . . .

"Behold, I will send My messenger, and he shall prepare the way before Me."
- Malachi 3:1
 
Through Malachi, the Prophet whose book closes the OT, the LORD gave a prophecy concerning a messenger, a herald, who shall prepare the way before Him when He would make His appearance on earth. The NT reveals beyond all doubt that the messenger referred to is John the Baptist. At his birth his father, Zacharias, made this significant statement: "And thou, child--shalt go before the face of the LORD to prepare His ways." And St. Mark, speaking of John said: "The voice of one crying in the wilderness; Prepare ye the way of the LORD, make His paths straight." For six months prior to Christ's ministry, John preached: "Repent ye, for the Kingdom of Heaven is at hand."
 
The fulfillment of this prophecy about the messenger at the same time identifies Jesus Christ as the promised Messiah. It is added evidence that Jesus, born at Bethlehem and died on Calvary, is indeed "He that should come."
 
Christian friends, Our joy in Advent and at Christmas must not be marred by misgivings about Jesus Christ. Prophecy and fulfillment combine to urge us to confess with Peter: "We believe and are sure that Thou art the Christ, the Son of the living God."
 
      Joy to the world. The LORD is come:
      Let earth receive her King;
      Let every heart prepare Him room,
      And heaven and nature sing.
 
THOUGHT FOR THE DAY - You'll have no true joy at Christmas if Christ is not in your heart.