As Christmas draws near this year, we begin an Advent series titled, ‘Jesus Christ: Prophet, Priest and King’. ‘Christ’ is not Jesus’ surname, it is a title or office which means ‘Messiah’ or ‘Anointed One’. When the shepherds heard the angel announce,’to you is born this day, in the city of David, a Saviour who is Christ the Lord!’ they knew something about this ‘Christ’. They had heard of this one to come. They had been waiting for him. There was great expectations about this promised one to come – this Messiah… this Christ. And now the wait was over! And this was good news of great joy for all the people.

As we learn of what it means that Jesus is indeed the Christ – the Lord’s Anointed, and that he is the ultimate fulfilment of each of the ‘anointed offices’ of Israel – prophet, priest and king, may our hearts and minds be filled with great joy bursting forth in worship and praise as we hear once more, the good news of Jesus, our Saviour, whose birth we celebrate each Christmas – he who is Christ the Lord!