The Messenger of the Covenant

Recently I’ve been studying (at President Nelson’s invitation) about God’s covenants to Israel as well as each passage in the scriptures about Christ. As Christmas approached, I found a beautiful intersection of my two courses of study: Christ is the “messenger of the covenant” (Mal. 3:1).  For some reason this phrase struck me deeply. Christ is the embodiment and fulfillment of God’s promises to His covenant people. This poem tries to capture some of the wonder and gratitude I feel for the tiny Babe in Bethlehem who came to fulfill God’s promises to all mankind.

 

Millenia of promises

From God to His children

Lay swaddled in a manger

That night in Bethlehem.

 

The incarnate fulfillment

Of ancient covenants

Was cradled by his mother

Under heaven’s broad expanse.

 

God had promised love,

And hope and resurrection;

Forgiveness, joy, and family;

Healing and protection:

 

Those promises all came to pass

Through Christ our Heavenly King,

The messenger of the covenant

Whose birth angels did sing.

 

Though that sacred night

Was long ago in a distant land,

Today I still garner strength

Through Christ’s mighty hand.

 

God always keeps His promises

No matter how large or small,

And Christ to us is the sign

That God remembers us all.

 

Malachi 3:1

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