Abraham had an Advent experience that foreshadowed what would actually take place centuries later, the advent or arrival of God’s Son here on earth. Abraham’s experience occurred when God gave Abraham these very specific instructions –

“Then God said, ‘Take your son, your only son, Isaac, whom you love, and go to the region of Moriah. Sacrifice him there as a burnt offering on one of the mountains I will tell you about.’ ” (Genesis 22:2)

Abraham obeyed God. He and Isaac set out on their journey toward the appointed place. As they got closer to their destination, this conversation took place between father and son,

” ‘The fire and the wood are here,’ Isaac said, ‘but where is the lamb for the burnt offering?’ Abraham answered, ‘God Himself will provide the lamb for the burnt offering, my son.’ And the two of them went on together.” (Genesis 22:7-8)

Abraham trusted God to provide what was needed – a lamb for the necessary sacrifice. And God did just that. Abraham was preparing to sacrifice his son, Isaac, as God had told him to do but –

“But the angel of the Lord called out to him from heaven, ‘Abraham! Abraham!’ ‘Here I am,’ he replied. ‘Do not lay a hand on the boy,’ he said. ‘Do not do anything to him. Now I know that you fear God, because you have not withheld from Me your son, your only son.’ Abraham looked up and there in a thicket he saw a ram caught by its horns. He went over and took the ram and sacrificed it as a burnt offering instead of his son. So Abraham called that place The Lord Will Provide. And to this day it is said, ‘On the mountain of the Lord it will be provided.’ ” (Genesis 22:11-14)

God provided the ram for the sacrifice required of Abraham at that time. Centuries later God would again provide what was needed, what we needed, just as He had done for Abraham. This time God provided a lamb for the sacrifice for our sin, mine and yours. BUT – the Lamb that God provided was the perfect sacrifice, good for all people for all time. No further sacrifice for sin will ever be needed again. This perfect, spotless Lamb necessary for the required sacrifice for our sin was none other than God’s own Son, Jesus. We read in John –

“The next day John saw Jesus coming toward him and said, ‘Look, the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world!’ ” (John 1:29)

Abraham told his son, “God Himself will provide the lamb”, and God has provided the lamb, His own Lamb, His one and only Lamb, to be the sacrifice for my sin, the only acceptable sacrifice for my sin. His name is Jesus. This is why Jesus’s birth is worthy of celebration – we rejoice that God has at last provided the Lamb who is able to pay our sin price in full, allowing us to be reconciled to our Creator God.

“just as the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give His life as a ransom for many.” (Matthew 20:28)

Abraham experienced God’s perfect provision for his need at just the right time, which saved Isaac’s life in God’s perfect timing. Likewise, God’s provision of Jesus to all of humankind, to you and to me, is also in God’s perfect timing and saves our lives from an otherwise certain and eternal death.

“But when the time had fully come, God sent His Son, born of a woman, born under law, to redeem those under law, that we might receive the full rights of sons.” (Galatians 4:4-5)

“God sent His Son, born of a woman . . .” – that’s what we are celebrating at Christmas – God’s provision of His Lamb for the atonement of our sin! The best gift ever! That’s the Good News of Advent – God Himself has provided the Lamb!

“For to us a child is born, to us a son is given, and the government will be on His shoulders. And He will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. Of the increase of His government and peace there will be no end. He will reign on David’s throne and over his kingdom, establishing and upholding it with justice and righteousness from that time on and forever. The zeal of the Lord Almighty will accomplish this.” (Isaiah 9:6-7)

God provided the sacrifice for Abraham. God has also provided the sacrifice for my sin and for your sin, dear readers. That’s the Good News – the Atonement of Advent. The angel proclaimed this news to the shepherds saying –

” ‘Do not be afraid. I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people. Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; He is Christ the Lord. This will be a sign to you: You will find a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger.’ Suddenly a great company of the heavenly host appeared with the angel, praising God and saying, ‘Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace to men on whom His favor rests.’ ” (Luke 2:10-14)

I needed a Savior and God provided One for me – His One and only Son, Jesus! The angel confirmed this to Joseph saying –

“She (Mary) will give birth to a son, and you are to give him the name Jesus, because He will save His people from their sins.” (Matthew 1:21)

The Atonement of Advent – the sacrificial Lamb of God – who in a breath-taking plot twist is also the King of Kings and Lord of Lords –

“that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.” (Philippians 2:10-11)

Abraham’s Advent experience is my Advent experience today – the Lord has provided the necessary sacrifice for my sin. Thank You Heavenly Father for Your provision, the birth of Your Son, Jesus.

“For God so loved the world that He gave His one and only Son, that whoever believes in Him shall not perish but have eternal life.” (John 3:16)

sincerely, Grace Day