Malachi 4:1–6 “Surely the day is coming; it will burn like a furnace. All the arrogant and every evildoer will be stubble, and that day that is coming will set them on fire,” says the Lord Almighty. “Not a root or a branch will be left to them. But for you who revere my name, the sun of righteousness will rise with healing in its wings. And you will go out and leap like calves released from the stall. Then you will trample down the wicked; they will be ashes under the soles of your feet on the day when I do these things,” says the Lord Almighty. “Remember the law of my servant Moses, the decrees and laws I gave him at Horeb for all Israel. “See, I will send you the prophet Elijah before that great and dreadful day of the Lord comes. He will turn the hearts of the fathers to their children, and the hearts of the children to their fathers; or else I will come and strike the land with a curse.”

In the previous chapter, Malachi said a messenger would come to prepare the way for the Lord. We know that messenger was John the Baptizer. And now in the final chapter of his prophecy he speaks of the destruction coming for those who do evil and the healing that will come to those who revere the name of the Lord. We also hear that God will send “the prophet Elijah” to turn the hearts of the people. This was also fulfilled by John.

Luke 1:17 And he will go on before the Lord, in the spirit and power of Elijah, to turn the hearts of the fathers to their children and the disobedient to the wisdom of the righteous—to make ready a people prepared for the Lord.”

Jesus affirmed that John was the one who fulfilled this prophecy.

Matthew 11:14 And if you are willing to accept it, he is the Elijah who was to come.

We still need to heed John and Elijah and the prophets who tell us to turn – repent – so that we will enjoy God’s favor in Christ. This is our preparation, seeing Jesus for the blessing He is, the Messiah, the Prince of Peace, the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world. This is why we will celebrate His birth again this year. He came to free us from the judgment we deserve and give us forgiveness and life instead.

Hark the glad sound, the Savior comes, The Savior promised long;
Let ev’ry heart prepare a throne And ev’ry voice a song.

He comes the pris’ners to release, In Satan’s bondage held.
The gates of brass before Him burst, The iron fetters yield.

 He comes, from thickest films of vice To clear the mental ray
And on the eyeballs of the blind To pour celestial day.

He comes the broken heart to bind, The bleeding soul to cure,
And with the treasures of His grace T’enrich the humble poor.

Our glad hosannas, Prince of Peace, Thy welcome shall proclaim
And heaven’s eternal arches ring With Thy beloved name.

(The Lutheran Hymnal #66)