Baby Becomes Lord!

Is the Second Coming reason for hope or fear? For much of my Christian experience, the focus of most prophecy preaching, at least to my ears, was fear. It seemed to be a well-worn scare tactic designed to keep Christians from wandering into sin, from becoming too ‘worldly.’ This generation has been treated to the same basic story through the “Left Behind” novels. Are they right? Do we have reason to fear? Yes and no!

Jesus Christ will return. It will be the realization of the “hopes and fears of all the years.” The Bible says, "Look! He comes with the clouds of heaven. And everyone will see him— even those who pierced him. And all the nations of the earth will weep because of him. Yes! Amen! "I am the Alpha and the Omega—the beginning and the end," says the Lord God. "I am the one who is, who always was, and who is still to come, the Almighty One." (Revelation 1:7-8, NLT) “The earth shall weep because of Him.” What is a proclamation of hope to those who are expecting His return will be a declaration of ultimate judgment for those who have ignored His gracious offer of life. John tells us that “every eye will see Him.” His arrival as the conquering Christ, “riding on a white horse’ in the imagery of the Revelation, captures the attention of the whole world. He will confront those who do evil, defeat those who bring suffering and oppression, will overthrow the old order and establish His kingdom of righteousness and peace.

The Christmas story argues against the humanist view that we exist only to try to ensure the survival of our DNA into the next generation. We are not wrong to reason that since He came once to save us from our sins, He will come again to receive us into His Kingdom! This is wonderful news that is, indeed, a Blessed Hope. In your prayers and meditation today, think on this: “When the Son of Man comes in his glory, and all the angels with him, then he will sit upon his glorious throne. All the nations will be gathered in his presence, and he will separate the people as a shepherd separates the sheep from the goats." (Matthew 25:31-32, NLT) “Then the King will say to those on his right, ‘Come, you who are blessed by my Father, inherit the Kingdom prepared for you from the creation of the world." (Matthew 25:34, NLT)

The Incarnation and the Revelation are both part of one Story; Baby and the Revealed Lord of John's Revelation are all in the plan of the Father. Let Advent take on new meaning - not only of remembering a wonderful birth, but of hope of the King's coming again. Before His Throne where will you stand- among the blessed or with those sent away? Receive Him today, with faith that is responsive.

Kneel before the Manger to thank Him for becoming a Man;
then look up to the Cross and embrace the offer of redemption; and
then look higher to the Heavens and say, “Come, Lord Jesus. Let your Kingdom come!”

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O little town of Bethlehem,
How still we see thee lie;
Above thy deep and dreamless sleep,
The silent stars go by.
Yet in thy dark streets shineth
The everlasting Light;
The hopes and fears of all the years,
Are met in thee tonight.

For Christ is born of Mary
And gathered all above;
While mortals sleep the angels keep
Their watch of wondering love.
O, morning stars together
Proclaim the holy birth;
And praises sing to God the King
And peace to men on earth.

How silently, how silently,
The wondrous gift is giv'n;
So God imparts to human hearts,
The blessings of His heaven.
No ear may hear His coming,
But in this world of sin;
Where meek souls will
Receive Him still,
The dear Christ enters in.

O, holy child of Bethlehem,
Descend to us we pray;
Cast out our sin and enter in,
Be born in us today.
We hear the Christmas angels,
The great glad tidings tell;
O, come to us abide with us,
Our Lord, Emmanuel.

O Little Town Of Bethlehem

Brooks, Phillips / Redner, Lewis H.
© Public Domain