The Christmas season is always an exciting time of anticipation. Around the world people anticipate presents under the Christmas tree, hot chocolate and cookies, and the arrival of their family and friends.
For Christians, the Christmas season means the Advent, or arrival of Jesus on Earth. During this season, we remember the birth of the Christ into the world and anticipate the day He will return again. We are reminded that Christmas is not about tangible presents and people but about the intangible faith we have in Christ who has come and Christ who will return.
The Gospel of Matthew chapter 24 depicts a scene where the disciples ask Jesus what will be the sign of His coming. Jesus declares “But concerning that day and hour no one knows, not even the angels of heaven, nor the Son, but the Father only.” Jesus exhorts his disciples to watch in anticipation for His hour and be ready for His return. The season of Advent should reinvigorate Christians for this very purpose. We should celebrate Christ who was born into this world and preserve the Christian tradition of faithfully anticipating Christ’s return.
“Soon and very soon,
We are going to see the King
Hallelujah, Hallelujah
We’re going to see the King.”
Andre Crouch, “Soon And Very Soon” (No. 193) in The African American Heritage Hymnal (Chicago, Il, GIA Publications Inc., 2001).
This devotional was written by Dr. H. Fritz Williams. Dr. Williams is the pastor of First Baptist Church in Lockhart and a core faculty member at Stark College & Seminary.