“The shepherds went back to their flocks, glorifying and praising God for all they had heard and seen. It was just as the angel had told them.” Luke 2:20
Christmas is a big deal! Every year, Christ-followers around the world gather in homes and hovels to celebrate the first Advent. Advent, from the Latin, adventus, means ‘coming or appearing.’
There certainly was a lot of hubbub going on around the first advent of Jesus. Still, as far as the rest of the world was concerned, it was certainly not on the radar. No big deal.
Of course, it actually was a big deal. Miraculous pregnancy. Angels’ appearances announcing the first advent to Mary, Joseph, and shepherds; a unique, once-in-history occurrence of God becoming flesh while retaining His divinity.
That was all about the first Advent. But there will be a second Advent. Actually, the early church Advent observances were all about the second appearing of Christ. But recently Advent has been more associated with the first appearing.
The second Advent is as certain as the first. Thirty-three years later, as Jesus was ascending into heaven, angels again announced an advent: “Men of Galilee,” they said, “why are you standing here staring into heaven? Jesus has been taken from you into heaven, but someday he will return from heaven in the same way you saw him go!” (Acts 1:11)
When Jesus appears the second time, it will be on everybody’s radar! He will judge once and for all what is truth and what is not; who is right with God and who is not. He will cast those without the blood of Christ on them into a fiery pit, and usher those with the blood of Christ into a new heaven and earth where there will be no more pain, no more suffering, no more disease, no more death.
This Christmas, join the saints of the last 2000 years in their hope and prayer for the 2nd coming: “Come, Lord Jesus, come.”
Amen!
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