This devotional is Day 25 of the 25-Day Advent Series “The Wonders of His Love.” Follow along with us as we grow in grace through the Christmas story by subscribing or bookmaking the home page above!
Scripture: Revelation 22:20
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I love Christmas. Honestly, who doesn’t? I’m sure they exist but I’ve yet to meet a Christmas-hater.
Something about the smell of a fresh fir tree and the twinkling of the lights—the savoring of freshly baked cookies and the coziness of a fuzzy blanket in a room lit solely by the Christmas tree. It feels…almost magical. Some people look forward to it all year and even begin preparing at the first falling leaf.
But I wonder if many of us are more excited to celebrate the Lord’s previous coming than we are about His second coming.
Did we forget He didn’t come to earth as a little one so that we would get to exchange gifts with family and friends?
Maybe we’ve forgotten that the greatest gift ever given is salvation in the baby who was born in the manger—a salvation that is already here (so we celebrate) and yet to come (so we wait with excitement).
Jesus’ incarnation, though it brought hope to the hopeless, wasn’t the end of the story.
When we celebrate the birth of Christ, we must celebrate with our eyes looking forward to the day He returns to reign. On this day, death will die, suffering will perish, and we will see Jesus face to face.
“Beloved, we are God’s children now, and what we will be has not yet appeared; but we know that when he appears we shall be like him, because we shall see him as he is.” 1 John 3:2
“For now we see in a mirror dimly, but then face to face. Now I know in part; then I shall know fully, even as I have been fully known.” 1 Corinthians 13:12
This is why we can walk into the holiday season with hope amidst afflictions.
We can face the empty chair at the table, the empty womb we long to be full, or the empty bank account by looking to the baby Jesus who is also the Prince of Peace and the King of Kings who will come to destroy sin and death once and for all at His second coming.
The tears of the hardships and suffering we face now, in the waiting, will be wiped away from our eyes on that glorious day.
“He will wipe away every tear from their eyes, and death shall be no more, neither shall there be mourning, nor crying, nor pain anymore, for the former things have passed away.” Revelation 21:4
Here’s the thing…many of the same people who jump for joy over Christmas haven’t truly grasped the necessity of it.
Jesus didn’t come simply to bring peace on earth, He came to make peace with the Father for those He would redeem by his death on the cross.
“It will be counted to us who believe in Him who raised from the dead Jesus our Lord, who was delivered up for our trespasses and raised for our justification. Therefore, since we have been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ.” Romans 4:24b-5:1
Apart from Jesus, all humans are at war with the Father because of our rebellion. But for those who look upon the Lord with eyes of faith and turn away from our sin, we now have peace with God through Christ.
This means when Jesus returns to judge the earth in righteousness, we will stand among those wearing robes of white (Revelation 7:9). But this will not be the case for those who remain dead in their sin. Only those who plead the blood of the Lamb will be saved.
This truth, found in almost every book of the Bible, should bring a longing and expectation for glory to the heart of the Christian.
We should have hearts willing and ready to let go of all earthly things, saying, “Come soon, Lord.”
But for the person whose treasure is on earth, whose “best life” is this fading world, there is only an expectation of judgment. If that’s you, please know there’s still hope while you have breath in your lungs. Turn to Jesus for salvation; He is willing and ready to save.
Christians, He is coming soon. Let this spur us on to share the meaning of His birth with those in our lives who don’t know Him. And may our hearts rejoice, looking back to His birth and forward with excitement for His return.
“He who testifies to these things says, “Surely I am coming soon.” Amen. Come, Lord Jesus!” Revelation 22:20
Questions for the Heart:
- As we close out this series, truly examine your heart. Have you trusted in Christ for salvation?
- Do you long for Jesus, knowing He offers eternal peace with God instead of judgment?
- How can you share this hope of His return with those around you today?
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About the Author
Brittany is a follower of Christ, wife to James and Momma to three in Heaven. She exists to bring God glory and prays her writing is an avenue for that. She longs to help other women see Jesus as their ultimate Treasure. Find her writing on her blog at brittleeallen.com.
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