Christ’s Coming

Advent means *to come*

Jesus came. God was made flesh. Born in a manger.

The Word became flesh and made His dwelling among us.
We have seen His glory, the glory of the One and Only,

who came from the Father, full of grace and truth. – John 1:14

We joyfully reflect on the first coming of our Savior. We anticipate the babe in the manger. We watch, eager to celebrate the birth of the Messiah.

Simeon was waiting for the coming of the Messiah {Luke 2:25-32}. The Holy Spirit had promised that he would not die before seeing the Lord’s Christ. We are not told how old he was, but I imagine him growing old, watching with great expectation for the fulfillment of this prophecy. All firstborn male children had to be brought to the temple to be dedicated. Surely many had come. How many times had Simeon laid eyes on a child wondering if this one was the promised Messiah? How many times had his heart raced, only to be disappointed? But he never waivered in his faith, his hope never faltered. He waited expectantly. The Lord’s Christ came and he blessed God.

The celebration of Advent is an annual reminder to slow down and reflect with anticipation the celebration of the Messiah’s first coming. But it is also a reminder to watch with eager expectation the return of Christ. Just as Simeon waited for the first coming of the Messiah, we must be ever watchful for His return. We do not have a promise as specific as that given to Simeon, but we must be no less mindful to watch {Matthew 24:42-51}, not waiver in our faith, and be filled with hope {Titus 2:13}. For just as the prophecies of the Messiah’s birth were fulfilled, the promise of His return will also be fulfilled. {John 14:1-3, 1 Thess. 4:16}

Luke 2:13-14 shares the praises of the angels upon the coming of Christ. What a glorious moment. Even more glorious will be the return of Christ.

I have been greatly moved this Advent season by the words of Travis Cottrell‘s song, In the First Light:

In the first light of a new day no one knew He had arrived.
Things continued, as they had been
While a newborn softly cried,
But the Heavens, wrapped in wonder,
Knew the meaning of His birth,
In the weakness of a baby,
They knew God had come to earth,

As his mother, held Him closely it was hard to understand,
That her baby, not yet speaking,
Was the word of God to man.
He would tell them of His kingdom,
But their hearts would not believe.
They would hate Him, and in anger, they would nail Him to a tree.

But the sadness would be broken as the song of life arose,
And the firstborn of creation would ascend and take His throne.
He had left it to redeem us, but before His life began,
He knew He’d come back, not as a baby, but as the Lord of every man.

CHORUS
Hear the angels,
As they’re singing on the morning of His birth,
But how much greater will our song be,
When He comes again,when He comes again,
Here the angels,
As they’re singing on the morning of His birth,
But how much greater will our song be,
When He comes again to earth,
When He comes to rule the earth!

May you be blessed this Advent as you celebrate the coming of His birth. Enjoy each day with eager anticipation, just as you long for His return!