December 9, Mrs. Cambria Pauls

O Clavis David (O Key of David)

O Key of David and scepter of the house of Israel, You open and no one can close, You close and no one can open: Come and rescue the prisoners who are in darkness and in the shadow of death.

It is no coincidence that the season of Advent, the season of waiting for the light of Christ, comes upon us at the darkest point of the year. Winter’s icy fingers have snatched the last autumn leaves of the season, leaving barren-looking branches in her wake. The sun hangs low in the horizon and sinks all too quickly, giving way to long hours of what northern residents call “The Big Dark.” At the winter solstice, just when the sun is at its lowest point in the sky and it seems like all hope is gone, the darkness begins to recede! It is this way and more with Christ, who has come into the world to save sinners. “The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it” (John 1:5).

Jesus has come into the world to enlighten us who are imprisoned in the wintry darkness of sin, doubt, sadness, and hopelessness. He is the Key of David who fulfills the prophecy given to Isaiah seven hundred years before Jesus was born, “and I will place on his shoulder the key of the house of David. He shall open, and none shall shut; and he shall shut, and none shall open” (Is. 22:22). The Key of David is the authority to use the gifts and resources of the kingdom of God on behalf of its people, and Jesus gives this authority to apply or withhold the forgiveness of sins to the Church via the Office of the Keys (Matt. 16:19). Jesus is a just king who wields this power to close the kingdom of heaven to unrepentant sinners who despise His forgiveness won upon the cross. Their stony hearts are hardened to the message of Advent, that the Word was made flesh so that we might be made into children of God (John 1:12). Thanks be to God that Jesus is also a merciful king who opens the pearly gates of heaven to us when we hear His Word, which enables us to repent of our sins and cling to His forgiveness, life, and salvation won for us at Calvary.

When you hear the words of absolution, “in the stead and by the command of my Lord Jesus Christ I forgive you all your sins,” “arise, shine, for your light has come, and the glory of the Lord has risen upon you” (Is. 60:1). The Key of David is here! Jesus has come to storm the gates of hell and plunder Satan of his treasure. He spoils the spoiler of his prey and transfers you out of the domain of darkness into the kingdom of God. There, He banishes the shadows of death by His glorious presence. In His kingdom which has no end, there is only light, laughter, joy, and life because in his presence there is fullness of joy, at his right hand are pleasures forevermore.

Mrs. Cambria Pauls

Christ Academy: High School Student, 2015 Christ Academy: High School Proctor, 2018-2019, 2021 Christ Academy: Assistant Student Director, 2021-2022 Christ Academy: Student Director, 2022-2023