Dear Trekker,
Advent (meaning “coming”) is celebrated usually as a preparation for Christmas and the birth of Christ. However, from God‘s vision point, it is the first of three very significant events in the story of God‘s creating and loving the man he created for Himself. I hope you’ve thought of these advents before, but if not, join me this month viewing “advent” from God’s perspective.
The great mystery, yet fact, of Christ entering the world Himself is assumed (and known) by the Old Testament and New Testament writers. Saint Paul is very specific to the Ephesian church: “God has made known to us in all wisdom and insight the mystery of his will, according to his purpose which he set forth in Christ as a plan for the fullness of time, to unite all things in him, things in heaven and things on earth” (Ephesians 1:9 ESV).
Let’s unpack Paul’s amazing statement. The “mystery of God‘s will” is that God intends for us to be with Him forever. Since we were not made angels who do not have the power of choice to love God as Adam did (and we do), God factored in the plan of redemption should man initially choose not to follow God‘s instruction. (The Genesis story!) Hence, the Biblical stories of the first advent! But we must believe He came to “buy/bring us back.” The second advent is OUR coming to him in belief of his death and resurrection. The third advent is the second coming of Christ in glory to take us/his bride (the church) home to be with Him in heaven for eternity.
So, the first coming of Jesus has come! Preparation this time of year to celebrate his birth becomes an occasion for deeper reflection on the why He came. God was then (and now) “with us.” As we delve into the “mystery,” the more we link birth, life, death and resurrection of Jesus to His love story. God made us for fellowship with Him, and though man “went his own way” (Isaiah 53:6), this did not thwart permanently God‘s plan of salvation and forever with His people.
Advent is a blessing to them who admit they have turned their own way, it didn’t work out, and they need a savior. We think in our sin of self-control, we are self-sufficient! This is living an illusion. We acknowledge the need of a Savior only when we face our own sense of emptiness. Unfortunately, seeing advent merely as a preparation for Christmas, an approach to an acceptance of “God with us,” may lead only to a foundation of secular celebrations. God came to be accepted as King of kings and Lord of lords, even though a babe in a manger. The angels announced “a Savior, He is Christ the Lord” at his birth (Luke 2:8). God came precisely in order to bring salvation. This is the true meaning of his birth.
Today, at Christmas time, we do not need to travel to Bethlehem to find Christ. He is now with us! We must receive the gift he offers! We must come to Christ in acceptance of Him. “And no one comes to Christ except the Spirit draw him,” John reminds us all (John 6:44). Yes, yes, our coming to Christ is the Second Advent…a must “yes” to the working of the Spirit now unleashed by Christ in the world. For Father and Son, the Spirit is now building Christ’s church. God comes to us in Spirit and in Truth, mysteriously wooing in order that His work may be accomplished in us, to produce in us His fruit and virtues until He returns in the last advent, His coming in glory and majesty!
We all live now in the Second Advent…Invited to accept the Lord always, and live in his presence through the power of the Holy Spirit. As we do this, with the disciples of old, we say, “Come oh Lord,” the third Advent. As we grow in the grace and knowledge of Him, we ever turn to Him, even when we feel our hands are empty. Jesus is alive “in me” as we read the written word, and we respond empowered by His Spirit to live lives worthy of this calling to Himself. This “Second Advent” is a special time to experience His longing for us and our longing for Him.
As we approach the return of Jesus (which will always be soon in light of eternity) our future with Him is certain. The more grateful and diligent we are in pursuing our Savior, the more our longing for Jesus deepens! The more worshipful we become, the more deeply we enter into the mystery of God‘s love story by the presence of the Spirit. He is with us now. In the Third Advent, as Jesus glorified comes to us, the Second Coming, we are compelled by His love to unite with Him in glory!
John’s revelation gives beauty to this third Advent, Christ’s final coming. (Trekker, read Revelation 21 and 22. Soak it in.) All things are becoming new…“my words are trustworthy and true,” He spoke (or speaks) to John and us (Revelation 21:5). As we await our graduation into His presence, we are encouraged to be “blameless and holy” (I Thessalonians 3:13) in a culture that today celebrates compromise and sin. Our expected and hopeful anticipation of the second coming of Christ challenges us to live for His glory alone!
The Lord is coming soon! The love story before time began will be completed as time ends. Remember…anything in time is soon. Anything in our lives is soon! Revelation 22:12 says, “Behold, I am coming soon!” Verse 17: “The Spirit and the Bride (the Church) say, “Come!” And let him who hears, say, “Come!” Whomever is thirsty, let him come; and whoever wishes, let him take the free gift of the water of life.”
Yes, He is coming soon! Trekker, are you thirsty for Him today? I am. Friend wife is with Him. I learned today a treasured friend and trekker is on his way to be with the Lover of his soul. Are we thirsty for His presence in glory? Amen! Come Lord Jesus…and complete your love story. May the grace of the Lord Jesus be with all God’s people and all trekkers.
As we believe these truths of God’s love, we WILL have a Merry Christmas!
Your loved trekker friend of Jesus,
Jim Meredith