In my childhood my friends and I would often enjoy a good game of Hide and Seek. Almost everyone has either played the game or at least has a pretty good understanding of how the game works; probably because the name sort of spells it out for you. The person who was seeking had to close/cover their eyes and count to a predetermined number. The hiders would take that time to find a good spot where they hoped they would never be found. Then after reaching that number the seeker would call out, “Ready or not, here I come!” Then you found out how good that spot really was.
I’ve been thinking about that warning lately, “ready or not…”, and how it relates to Christmas. Of course December 25th will come whether I have completed my shopping or not, whether the tree is up or not, whether “the stockings are hung by the chimney with care” or not, whether I have “visions of sugar plums” dancing or not… you get the idea, Christmas is coming, “ready or not.”
That is both comforting and alarming at the same time. Comforting, because I cannot steal Christmas no matter how grinch-ly I may be, and still alarming because Christmas will not wait for me to get ready.
That is why I appreciate marking Advent with my family each year. Advent is a three-fold celebration of the birth of Jesus, his eventual second coming to earth and His continued presence in our lives here and now. During the four weeks leading up to Christmas Day, I am reminded that Christmas is coming because our family lights a candle at our dinner table, reads scripture, sings a carol (to make the dog howl) and prays. It helps us to focus on what Christmas is really all about, a birthday party for Jesus. It’s not my party it’s His.
Advent helps me get ready for a meaningful celebration and it also helps me get ready for Jesus’ second coming by keeping His daily presence in focus as I live my life. You see, just as December 25th will come whether you are ready or not, Jesus will return whether you are ready or not; whether you believe it or not.
In Revelation 22: 7 & 12 Jesus tells us all, “Remember, I am coming soon! God will bless everyone who pays attention to the message of this book… I am coming soon! And when I come, I will reward everyone for what they have done.”
This is both comforting and alarming at the same time. Comforting that there is more to my existence than this life. God has a plan for eternity and its a good one! You and I have the opportunity to share in it because Jesus was born into this world over 2000 years ago; He lived to point us to God and died to make the way for us to go to Him.
It is alarming to think that I could have missed this like so many people have. I don't want you to miss it so here it is straight up...Christmas is just the beginning. You not only need to know the God/Man born in a manger but you need to know Him as your personal Savior who died on the cross in your place and for your good. Only then will you be ready for Him to return to usher in eternity.
I want to be ready to celebrate Jesus’ birthday in order to honor Him the best I can. And I want to be ready for His return because what I do now matters for eternity. Be encouraged, it’s not too late for you to get ready; both for Christmas and for Jesus to return. Start now (if you haven’t already) to pay attention to the Bible and live like it matters because, ready or not…
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