Sebket : the Season of Prophetic Announcement

December 17, 2016

‘Sebket’ is a Ge’ez word meaning ‘preaching, proclamation, (but in this context it is better to be defined as prophetic announcement)’. The week covers the period from Tahisas 7 – 13 (December16-22).  During the period, the Ethiopian Orthodox Tewahido church recounts the words of prophets about the incarnation of God.

The prophets foretold the incarnation of the Word (Son of GOD), one of the persons of Holy Trinity, symbolizing Him and His Mother through different imagery which are revealed to them by God.

 Every year, the Ethiopian church recognizes the clear prophetic statements that foretold the Coming of Jesus Christ for the salvation of mankind.  It celebrates as one of the minor feasts of Our Lord Jesus Christ in three consecutive weeks known as “Sibket (prophetic announcement), Berhan (light) and Nolawi (shepherd)” prior to Christmas. The church celebrates the feasts by drawing scriptural readings relevant to the specific declaration of the prophets, how it was to be accomplished, and what it means for mankind.

Scriptures proved from prophecies of the Old Testament that Jesus Christ is indeed the promised Messiah and Savior, prophetically validating Him as the coming King of kings and Lord of lords!  Some of the prophetic evidences and symbols recorded in scriptures read during this period are listed below: (Heb. 1: 1-14; 2 Pet. 3:1-9; Acts 3:17-26; Ps. 144:7-8; Jn. 1:44-51).