Reason for Advent – Week 3

Luke 19: 41 – 42

When He approached Jerusalem, He saw the city and wept over it, saying, “if you had known in this day even you, the things which make for peace! But now they have been hidden from your eyes.

Walking or driving through neighborhoods, I observed people’s houses were all decked up for the Christmas season. Lights of various colors, wreaths of various sizes, garlands, inflated characters like Santa Claus, Peanuts, reindeers, nativity scenes, etc., adorned peoples houses and front yards. People do put in a lot of effort and money in these decorations. And each house is uniquely decorated. I wonder if each house had a story to tell about the most precious gift, that is Jesus Christ in their lives.

Year after year, as we celebrate the first advent of Jesus Christ, we ought to remember the second advent of Jesus Christ, which is quite at hand. At His first coming, He came as a lowly servant, in a manger, born of a virgin. He shed His precious blood to redeem us from sin and death, so we could be reconciled to our Heavenly Father. His first arrival was prophesied in the Old Testament numerous times and yet the people of Israel failed to recognize the timing of His arrival. That is why Jesus lamented and wept over the city of Jerusalem that they did not anticipate His advent.

There are a greater number of prophecies of His second coming than His first. His second coming isn’t going to be a quiet affair. On the contrary, the whole creation will know of and see His advent. Jesus Himself proclaimed about His second advent numerous times. He gave His disciples and us the signs of times that would indicate of His arrival. The apostles, the early church and saints of the past have eagerly awaited His second coming. They neither wanted to miss nor misinterpret His second coming like their ancestors. They lived their lives in anticipation of His arrival.

Today, are we living in anticipation of His arrival? He won’t be coming back as a babe in a manger but He will be coming with all the Heavenly hosts, roaring like a lion. The Israelites may have failed to read the signs of the times they were living in and may have failed to correctly interpret the prophets. We, on the other hand, don’t have an excuse. We do know the Holy Scriptures. We do know how to interpret the signs. How much more then should we live each day in anticipation of His arrival any minute!

Dearly beloved, advent is a season of anticipation. Even though we celebrate Christmas once a year, we should live each day as it could be the day of His coming again for His bride. The days we are living in are getting darker by the minute. The world may mock us of our faith in the King of kings, who is returning. Nevertheless, nothing should deter us from living in anticipation. We will go about our daily lives, an eye on the world and the other eye looking heavenward – a reason for us having two eyes. We will continue to hear what is going on in the world with one ear and listening with the other to what the Holy Spirit is teaching. We will continue to serve others in need with one hand and raise our other hand in worship of Him. Let us live in anticipation of the advent of our Lord and Savior. Let us learn to interpret the signs of His coming again.