Sebket-ስብከት(Proclamation of prophet)
'Sebket’ is a Ge’ez word meaning preaching and proclamation of prophet. The week of 'Sebket' covers the period from Tahisas 7 – 13 (December 16-22). During the period, the Ethiopian Orthodox Tewahido church recounts the words of prophets about the incarnation of God. The prophets were fasting, praying and crying in their times longing for the Coming of Eyesus Kerestos the promised Messiah and Savior.
Psalm 144:7
Reach down your hand from on high deliver me and rescue me from the mighty waters, from the hands of foreigners
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.
Micah 5:2
“But you, Bethlehem Ephrathah, though you are small among the clans of Judah, out of you will come for me one who will be ruler over Israel, whose origins are from of old, from ancient times.”
Every year, the Ethiopian church recognizes the clear prophetic statements that foretold the Coming of Eyesus Kerestos for the salvation of mankind. It celebrates as one of the feasts of Our Lord Eyesus Kerestos in Four consecutive weeks known as
Sibket (prophetic announcement)
Berhan (light)
Nolawi (shepherd)
Ledit (birth)
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.
John 1:45
45 Philip found Nathanael and told him, “We have found the one Moses wrote about in the Law, and about whom the prophets also wrote - Eyesus of Nazareth”
Acts 3:22
‘The Lord your God will raise up for you a prophet like me from among your own people; you must listen to everything he tells you”
1 Timothy 6:13-15
13 In the sight of God, who gives life to everything, and of Eyesus Kerestos, who while testifying before Pontius Pilate made the good confession, I charge you 14 to keep this command without spot or blame until the appearing of our Lord Jesus Christ, 15 which God will bring about in his own time—God, the blessed and only Ruler, the King of kings and Lord of lords, 16 who alone is immortal and who lives in unapproachable light, whom no one has seen or can see. To him be honor and might forever. Amen.
1 Timothy 1:15-17
15 Here is a trustworthy saying that deserves full acceptance: Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners—of whom I am the worst. 16 But for that very reason I was shown mercy so that in me, the worst of sinners, Christ Jesus might display his immense patience as an example for those who would believe in him and receive eternal life. 17 Now to the King eternal, immortal, invisible, the only God, be honor and glory for ever and ever. Amen.
Scriptures proved from prophecies of the Old Testament that Eyesus Kerestos is indeed the promised Messiah and Savior, prophetically validating Him as the coming King of kings and Lord of lords! In the Ethiopian Orthodox Tewahedo church services this prophetic evidence and symbols recorded in scriptures read during this period.
Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit one God Amen