From Silence to Song
Malachi speaks into a world grown cold.
When we open the book of Malachi, we are standing at the edge of the Old Testament, looking across the centuries toward the coming of Christ. Malachi is the final prophetic voice before heaven goes silent for four hundred years. After Malachi, no prophet speaks, no visions are given, no angelic messages are recorded. The next voice Israel hears is the cry of a baby in Bethlehem and the preaching of John the Baptist saying, "Prepare ye the way of the Lord."
Malachi speaks into a world grown cold. Worship has become routine. Priests had become careless. People had become cynical. The nation had returned from exile, but their hearts had not returned to God.
And yet - in this climate of spiritual indifference - God begins this final book of the Old Testament with the most surprising words:
"I have loved you, saith the LORD" (Malachi 1:2).
This is the beginning of our Christmas journey. Long before a manger in Bethlehem, before shepherds heard angels, before wise men followed a star - God declared His unchanging love to a people who doubted Him.
If you find yourself doubting God, allow the truth and hope of the Scriptures to bring you from the cold darkness of doubt into the warm light of Christ's promise. May this Christmas season be one of song instead of silence.