Christ's Advents

Jeremiah 33:14-16

Behold, the days are coming, says the LORD, that I will perform that good thing which I have promised to the house of Israel and to the house of Judah. In those days and at that time I will cause to grow up to David a Branch of righteousness; He shall execute judgement and righteousness in the earth. In those days Judah will be saved, and Jerusalem will dwell safely. And this is the name by which she will be called: THE LORD OUR RIGHTEOUSNESS.

Decorations are being hung and lights are twinkling. Gifts are being bought, wrapped and labeled. It's here again. The Advent season is upon us. It seems like it was just yesterday that one of the main topics around the globe was about the roll over into the year 2000 and whether or not we'd be celebrating Christmas in 2001 with the lights on.

The Scripture passage in Jeremiah speaks of the Advents of the Lord Jesus Christ.

He came at His First Advent to set into place the promises of God in those days long ago that are still remembered with images of the Infant in the manger, shepherds in the field watching their flocks, angels singing, wise men coming with their gifts to offer to the Christ-child King, and many other images that call to our attention the love of God for us in the gift of His Son. And He's coming again at His Second Advent that will happen in those days at some future point to usher in a degree of completion to the plan of God for man that is represented in Scripture with much judgement upon those who reject Him and the work that He did during His First Advent.

What is our knowledge of the Advents of Christ accomplishing in our lives? May I suggest two areas that our knowledge of the Advents of Christ should affect?

First, our knowledge of the Advent's should draw us into a reverential awe and worship of the One whom God sent to become the Lamb of God that would be slain as the offering for our sins and as the Lion of God who is coming to judge the world. This is more than a seasonal reflection upon Christmas. This should be a life long journey of constant reflection upon the Innocent Offering and the Righteous Judge that came and will come to us.

Second, our knowledge of the Advent's should motivate us to communicate our faith in Jesus Christ to those who have yet to personally receive the reality of His First Advent into their lives - a reality to moves us to reverential awe and worship of the King of kings and Lord of lords.

Those watchers in earlier days saw His star in the sky and came to worship the Lord. He's coming again and all will see His appearing. Have you joined with the wise men who committed their way to worship the One sent from God? Are you prepared to meet Him if His Second Advent came as we celebrate His Birth this Christmas Season?

May the Spirit of Christ draw us to the place of surrender where we find ourselves bowed in reverential awe and worship of the Only Son of God in anticipation of the day when we will see Him face to face.

COPYRIGHT - Dave Kralik

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