We’re now in the season of Advent which celebrates the coming of Christ. The first record of Advent is in the 6th Century and it has been celebrated ever since.

     It was originally a time of fasting and prayer in preparation for the coming of Jesus Christ as a baby in Bethlehem. The early church also saw Advent as a looking forward to the Second Coming of Christ, to judge the world and the peoples with his truth.

     We all love the season of Christmas and the birth of the Christ child in the stable with the angels and wise men and shepherds. But what gives Christmas its meaning is the death, resurrection and ascension into heaven of Christ Jesus. And, in turn, he sent back his promised Holy Spirit to be with us until he calls us home to heaven.

     Christmas can only be understood through the eyes of Easter. Once we understand about Easter, we can begin to understand the joy and happiness of Christmas. Then we know the incredible gift of God, who chose not to leave us in our sins and sadness, but sent his son to bring us out of sin and death into his marvelous Kingdom with the angels and saints and all the company of heaven.

     As we look about us this Christmas, we seem to be surrounded by darkness and evil, but it has always been like this. It was like this on the first Christmas, and many innocent children were slaughtered in order to try and kill the Christ child.

     As we look at our own lives, things often don’t turn out the way we had hoped. There is heartbreak at every turn. But Jesus said his kingdom is not of this world, and he goes before us to prepare a place for us, so that we may be there with him, forever, in a place where we never grow old, where there is no sin, no sickness, no death.

     And as we gaze into that humble manger and see the Light of God coming from the face of that small babe, we are reminded of God’s promises to us. He will never leave us nor forsake us. We are his own and no one can pluck us out of the palm of his hand.

     The old hymn says, “Just a few more days to labor and wait.” We have received the priceless gift of salvation and, as we look at that little babe in the manger, we see behind him the Cross, the empty tomb, and the risen Christ rising into heaven. And we give thanks and praise and we give God all the glory.

Blessings in Jesus,
Harold

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Our God Reigns Ministries, Pastor Janette Stewart