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Preparation, Celebration, Anticipation

  During December, the season of Advent is a special time of preparation. First, as we see from the festive decorations in Frankenmuth, we prepare to celebrate Christmas, the first coming of Jesus into the world! As we learn from the Gospel writers, Matthew and Luke, Jesus was born as a baby to Mary in Bethlehem in order to save us from our sins. Recall the angel’s words to Joseph, Jesus’ earthly father, during a dream he experienced during Mary’s pregnancy, “Joseph, son of David, do not be afraid to take Mary home as your wife, because what is conceived in her is from the Holy Spirit. She will give birth to a son, and you are to give him the name Jesus, because he will save his people from their sins.” (Matthew 1:20-21).

  This is one of the main reasons for this Advent season, preparation for the celebration of Christmas, the birth of our Lord and Savior, Jesus! As the angel proclaimed in the middle of the night to the shepherds outside of Bethlehem, "Do not be afraid. I bring you good news that will cause great joy for all the people. 11 Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is the Messiah, the Lord. 12 This will be a sign to you: You will find a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger.” (Luke 2:10-12)

  It is good news that Jesus was born! It is a reason for rejoicing in every season of our lives, but especially this Holiday season. God has reconciled us to Himself, forgiven our sins, and restored a right relationship with us through Jesus’ miraculous birth, His life of perfect obedience, His sacrificial death on the cross, and His glorious resurrection.

  Second, during Advent we embrace a sense of anticipation for the second coming of Jesus into our world, when He returns to gather all His people and bring them to that place He has prepared for us. Recall Jesus’ words to His disciples in John 14, "Do not let your hearts be troubled. You believe in God; believe also in me. 2 My Father’s house has many rooms; if that were not so, would I have told you that I am going there to prepare a place for you? 3 And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come back and take you to be with me that you also may be where I am.”

  Because we are saved by grace through faith in Jesus, His return is an occasion that we need not fear or be anxious about but can look forward to with great excitement, as God promises to gather all those who place their hope and trust in Jesus to experience a new heaven and a new earth for eternity with Him! 

  So, this December, as you take in the sights and sounds of the season, I invite you to make preparations-not only for our Christmas gatherings and worship services, as these should be the highlights of this special time of year; but also for the return of Jesus!

  He will not come into the world as He did the first time; on a silent and holy night, away in a manger in the stable, as a baby born to Mary in the little town of Bethlehem. Instead, Jesus will come with a loud command and with the trumpet call of God (1 Thessalonians 4) as King of kings and Lord of lords, as your Savior from sin, and mine as well. Therefore, this Advent season, we continue our preparations for our Christmas celebrations in joyful anticipation of the second coming of Christ. Preparation, celebration, anticipation. All for Jesus! All because of God’s great love for you!!