At Christmas we focus on Christ’s birth and wonder at the fulfillment of God’s promise to a people. A child came forth that was to be the Saviour for all mankind.
“Good news of great joy, for unto us is born this day in the city of David, a Saviour, who is Christ the Lord.” Luke 2:11
“…we have set our hope on the living God, who is the Saviour of all mankind, especially of believers.” 1 Tm 4:10
Most of the Western Church celebrates Advent (from Latin adventus, “coming”), a period of preparation leading up to Christmas Day that celebrates the birth of Jesus, but did you know though, that Advent also signifies a time of preparation for the Second Coming of Christ?
A bit of trivia for us today ~ By the 6th century, Roman Christians had tied Advent to the coming of Christ. But the “coming” they had in mind was not Christ’s first coming into the manger in Bethlehem, but his second coming in the clouds as the judge of the world. It was not until the Middle Ages that the Advent season was explicitly linked to Christ’s first coming at Christmas. See further https://www.up.edu/garaventa/did-you-know/meaning-advent.html
The Apostle Peter, from His second epistle, chapter three, wrote and admonished the church as She awaits His return,~
“The Lord is not slow to fulfill his promise as some count slowness, but is patient toward you, not wishing that any should perish, but that all should reach repentance. 10 But the day of the Lord will come like a thief, and then the heavens will pass away with a roar, and the heavenly bodies will be burned up and dissolved, and the earth and the works that are done on it will be exposed.
11 Since all these things are thus to be dissolved, what sort of people ought you to be in lives of holiness and godliness, 12 waiting for and hastening the coming of the day of God, because of which the heavens will be set on fire and dissolved, and the heavenly bodies will melt as they burn! 13 But according to his promise we are waiting for new heavens and a new earth in which righteousness dwells.”
The first disciples had watched Jesus leave this earth and lived with the expectation he was coming back again, in the same way.
And when he (Jesus) had said these things, as they (disciples) were looking on, he was lifted up, and a cloud took him out of their sight. 10n And while they were gazing into heaven as he went, behold, two men stood by them in white robes, 11 and said, “Men of Galilee, why do you stand looking into heaven? This Jesus, who was taken up from you into heaven, will come in the same way as you saw him go into heaven.” Acts 1:10-11
We too must live knowing Jesus is coming again. His return will be for all to see Him in the fulness of His majesty, the King of Kings and Lord of all Lords. We have this assurance because God’s word was proven true with the birth of Jesus. It surely remains true about His second coming. His birth is the proof, the sign and the earnest given that assures us of His return.
Revelation, chapter twenty-two closes with these following promises ~
6 And he said to me, “These words are trustworthy and true. And the Lord, the God of the spirits of the prophets, has sent his angel to show his servants what must soon take place.”
12 “Behold, I am coming soon, bringing my recompense with me, to repay each one for what he has done. 13 I am the Alpha and the Omega, the first and the last, the beginning and the end.” 14 Blessed are those who wash their robes, so that they may have the right to the tree of life and that they may enter the city by
20 He who testifies to these things says, “Surely I am coming soon.”
A clever man once said, “Every advent leads to adventure and there is no adventure without an advent” and so we add our yes and Amen, Come, Lord Jesus!
May this advent open unto us the adventures His life and Kingdom set before as we, not only celebrate his birth, but look for and hasten his return.
From our home to yours, David and I pray for you to have a truly blessed Christmas filled with the wonder of our Lord and Saviour as you hold great expectations for the New year.
In His Love ~
Jeanne
A Good Word 2023 begins January 08.