His Love Then, Now, and Not Yet

Photo image courtesy Pixabay

Therefore the Lord Himself will give you a sign: Behold, the virgin shall conceive and bear a Son and shall call His name Immanuel. -- Isaiah 7:14 (NKJV)

As we approach the Christmas season, I see "over the top" online marketing, snail mail catalogs delivered daily, and invasive television commercials offering the best Christmas gift known to mankind! While that worldly description may be an exaggeration, I stopped to reflect on the "best gift" concept. Where could I find the best Christmas gift known to mankind? Ok, maybe you are thinking that sounds way too cliche, but really. Exactly would that be. Hint, hint - it is not available through Amazon!

For there is born to you this day, in the city of David, a Savior, who is Christ the Lord. (Luke 2:11, NKJV)

Preparation - Reflecting on past Christmas seasons, I remember preparations both at home and at church. At home, we enjoyed Christmas lights on the front porch, a fresh cut evergreen tree in the living room with heirloom ornaments on the tree, and a beautiful wreath on our front door.

In early December, Mom and Grandma contacted relatives to learn who was coming to visit during the Christmas season. As young children, we had trouble waiting patiently for cousins who lived far away to come to our home. Mom prepared menus for large holiday meals. She and Grandma baked all kinds of goodies to share with family and exchange with neighbors and church friends. Amazing memories!

How Does Your Family Prepare?

At church, the staff, elders and my youth group helped decorate our sanctuary. Huge evergreen wreaths added festive style and fragrance. Even as a child, I knew the meaning of the special Advent wreath and its four candles. As part of the Advent tradition, on each of the four Sundays leading up to Christmas, we lit one candle until all four were lit. A Scripture reading accompanied each candle lighting, explaining how the Advent season points to Jesus.

The pastor taught us that the Scripture corresponding to the first two candles speaks about the First Coming of Christ Jesus. He said that Scripture for the second two candles prepares us for the Second Coming of Christ Jesus. Even as a youth, I knew that the Advent season was set apart for holy preparation of our hearts.

The people who walked in darkness have seen a great light; those who dwelt in the land of the shadow of death, upon them a light has shined. (Isaiah 9:2, NKJV)

Celebration - Looking through old photos recently, I found many memories from Christmas days long ago, from my immediate family and then from my own family as I became a wife, mother, and grandmother. I recall the love and joy from every Christmas! I always enjoyed stories from the Bible about Mary and Joseph and Baby Jesus in a manger. I remember the celebration described by Luke as the shepherds were keeping watch over their flocks by night when an angel of the Lord stood before them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were greatly afraid. (Luke 2:8-9, NKJV) The shepherds went to find Baby Jesus, and when they did, they returned to their fields and celebrated, glorifying and praising God for all the things that they had heard and seen, as it was told to them. (Luke 2:20, NKJV)

In the same way, we celebrate the Good News about our King, Christ Jesus, with the gathering of family and friends during Advent and the Christmas season. What a celebration! We celebrate the only Gift that we will ever need: Jesus! Rejoicing always in the true joy of the Christmas season, we celebrate that our King came to earth to walk among us and to point us to our Heavenly Father!

How Do You Celebrate the Birth of Christ Jesus?

Of the increase of His Government and Peace, there will be no end, upon the throne of David and over His Kingdom, to order it and establish it with Judgment and justice from that time forward, even forever. The Zeal of the Lord of Hosts will perform this. (Isaiah 9:7, NKJV)

Anticipation - Our parents continually reminded us during the pre-Christmas season that we should be patient and wait to see what gifts will be under the tree on Christmas morning. As young children, we were not good at waiting! Can you relate? Sometimes, we were so insistent that Mom and Dad would allow us to open one small gift on Christmas Eve.

In hindsight, I see how our parents wanted us to have good gifts, just like our Heavenly Father wants us to have His good gifts! I am reminded of Matthew 7:11 (NKJV), If you then, being evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father who is in heaven give good things to those who ask Him!

And in the same way, we, as children of God, wait with anticipation here on earth as the Lord God prepares His Kingdom that shall be without end! Like Mom and Dad, the Lord reveals small gifts to us through His creation, through His love, through relationships with other people, and through His Holy Word. How wonderful to know that life on this earth, with all its pain, suffering and challenges, is not our final home! What a Joy to know and anticipate that one day we will continually worship and praise the Lord with Christ Jesus in heaven!

So, therefore be patient, brethren, until the coming of the Lord. See how the farmer waits for the precious fruit of the earth, waiting patiently for it until it receives the early and latter rain. You also be patient. Establish your hearts, for the coming of the Lord is at hand. (James 5:7-8, NKJV)

Dear Friend,

If you do not know Jesus, I pray right now that you will stop and ask Him to come into your heart and make Himself known to you. Jesus wants to have a personal relationship with you. Today is a great day to start that relationship.

Please reach out to us or to a trusted believer for prayer to help you find your way to Jesus.