Picture a shepherd on a quiet hillside, tenderly caring for his sheep—a scene not unlike that first Christmas night when Jesus came into the world. He came gently, humbly, as a Savior, bringing peace and hope to all who would receive Him. But the same loving Shepherd is also a King, and one day He will return in glory to reign over all. At Christmas, we celebrate His gentle arrival and look forward with hope to the day when He will come again, bringing His perfect justice and eternal kingdom.
From Humble Birth to Triumphant Return
The miracle of Christmas lies in the humble yet extraordinary way Jesus entered our world. Born in a stable and laid in a manger, the King of Kings chose simplicity over grandeur, reaching even the lowliest among us. Luke 2:11-12 captures the essence of His arrival: “For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord. And this will be a sign for you: you will find a baby wrapped in swaddling cloths and lying in a manger.” His humble birth fulfilled centuries of prophecy and revealed a God who deeply desires to connect with humanity on a personal level. He came to accomplish what humanity could not do—provide eternal salvation through the giving of Himself, even to the point of death on the cross. His first coming was a beautiful act of grace, demonstrating that salvation is for everyone, regardless of their status or past mistakes.
As we reflect on Jesus’s first coming, we are reminded that this is only part of the story. His birth as a Savior opened the door to redemption, but He also promised to return as a triumphant King. Just as the shepherds and wise men looked forward to the arrival of the Messiah, we, too, live in anticipation of His second coming. Revelation 22:12-13 assures us of this hope: “And behold, I am coming quickly, and My reward is with Me, to give to everyone according to his work. I am the Alpha and the Omega, the Beginning and the End, the First and the Last. ” While the manger symbolizes peace and humility, His return will bring justice and restoration. The same Jesus who came to save will come again to reign, tying His humble birth to His glorious future. Let this connection fill your heart with awe as we move from celebrating His first coming to preparing for His triumphant return.
The Humble Birth: Jesus Came to Save
Jesus’s birth in Bethlehem was not just an extraordinary event—it was the fulfillment of God’s promise to bring salvation to a broken world. In His humility, He took on flesh and walked among us, offering hope and redemption to all who would believe. Philippians 2:7-8 beautifully describes His mission: “He made Himself nothing by taking the very nature of a servant, being made in human likeness. And being found in appearance as a man, He humbled Himself by becoming obedient to death—even death on a cross.” From the cradle to the cross, Jesus’s first coming was marked by His love and sacrifice. He came to seek and save the lost (Luke 19:10), showing us that no one is beyond the reach of His grace.
However, the story doesn’t end there. Jesus’s first coming was a prelude to a much greater promise—His return as the triumphant King who will establish His eternal kingdom. While His birth brought peace to individual hearts, His second coming will bring ultimate peace to the entire world. As Dr. David Jeremiah reminds us, “The Lord Himself referred to the Second Coming 21 times,” emphasizing the imminence and certainty of this glorious event. As Romans 8:21 reminds us, creation itself longs to be set free from its bondage of decay. This promise of restoration becomes even more significant when we look at the state of the world today—fractured, hurting, and yearning for hope. In light of His promised return, it’s clear that the world needs Jesus now more than ever, leading us to examine the current challenges we face as we anticipate His glorious reign.
The State of the World: A Need for His Triumphant Return
The state of the world today highlights humanity’s deep need for the peace and restoration that only Jesus can bring. Wars, natural disasters, societal divisions, and moral decline are constant The world around us often serves as a reminder of a broken creation longing for redemption. Jesus foretold these challenges as signs of the times in Matthew 24:6-8: “You will hear of wars and rumors of wars… Nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom. There will be famines and earthquakes in various places. All these are the beginning of birth pains.” Although these challenges may feel overwhelming, they point us to the hope of Jesus’s imminent return. His promise to come again assures us that the brokenness we witness is temporary, and His kingdom of peace and justice will ultimately prevail.
In Matthew 24:36-39, He reminds us: “But about that day or hour, no one knows, not even the angels in heaven, nor the Son, but only the Father. As it was in the days of Noah, so it will be at the coming of the Son of Man.” While we do not know the exact moment of His return, these signs urge us to prepare our hearts and help others discover the hope and salvation that only Christ offers.
As followers of Christ, we have a divine responsibility as we await His imminent return: to spread the good news of salvation to all who will hear. Jesus calls us to be His ambassadors, sharing the hope of the gospel so that others may repent and receive the gift of eternal life. Revelation 3:20 illustrates His passion for humanity: “Here I am! I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will come in and eat with that person, and they with me.” This message is not just for us to treasure but for us to share boldly and lovingly with the world. With the knowledge that Jesus could return at any moment, our mission is clear—live faithfully, love others deeply, and proclaim His truth so that as many as possible are ready to welcome Him as Savior and King.
The Triumphant Return: Jesus Will Come to Reign
Living between Jesus’s first coming and His promised return calls us to a life of faithfulness, hope, and readiness. As followers of Christ, we are not just observers of His story; we are participants in His mission. Jesus Himself taught in Luke 12:35-36: “Be dressed ready for service and keep your lamps burning, like servants waiting for their master to return from a wedding banquet.” This readiness is not about passivity but about active obedience—growing in our relationship with Him, serving others, and living lives that reflect His love and truth. Every moment is an opportunity to deepen our walk with Christ and prepare our hearts to meet Him when He comes again in glory.
But readiness doesn’t stop with us; it extends to inviting others to share in the hope we have. The urgency of Jesus’s return compels us to live with purpose, spreading the gospel to all who will listen. Matthew 28:19-20 calls us to “go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you.” This Great Commission reminds us that we are entrusted with the privilege of sharing God’s love and truth. As we joyfully await Jesus’s return, we must ask ourselves: How are we using this time to make an eternal impact in the lives of those around us? This call to action leads us to reflect on the greatest gift ever given—Jesus Himself—and the transformative power of sharing His gift with the world.
Living Between the Two Comings
Preparing our hearts to meet Jesus requires intentionality, not only in celebrating His birth but in aligning our lives with His will. Living in anticipation of His return means embracing a lifestyle of faith, repentance, and obedience to His Word. Romans 12:2 encourages us to be transformed by the renewing of our minds so that we may discern God’s good, pleasing, and perfect will. This transformation is a daily process, grounded in prayer, studying Scripture, and allowing the Holy Spirit to guide our actions. As we prepare ourselves spiritually, we also grow in the joy and peace that comes from knowing Christ, making our lives a testimony of His love to the world.
This preparation also involves sharing the gift of Jesus with others, inviting them to experience His love and salvation. The time we’ve been given is not just for personal growth but for advancing His kingdom by sharing the gospel. 2 Corinthians 5:20 reminds us: “We are therefore Christ’s ambassadors, as though God were making His appeal through us.” As ambassadors, we carry the message of reconciliation, offering others the opportunity to know the Savior who transforms lives. Each invitation we extend and every conversation we have about Christ reflects our anticipation of His return. And as we reflect on the significance of Jesus’s two comings, we are reminded that the greatest gift is meant to be shared—a powerful truth that moves us to spread His love this Christmas season and beyond.
A Call to Anticipate the King
As we celebrate the joy of Christmas and the gift of Jesus’s first coming, let us also carry the hope of His return in our hearts. The greatest gift we’ve received—salvation through Christ—is not one to be kept to ourselves but shared with a world in desperate need of His love and grace. Jesus calls us in Matthew 5:14-16 to be the light of the world, saying, “Let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven.” This Christmas, let our lives reflect His light, our words proclaim His truth, and our actions demonstrate His love, so that others may come to know Him and rejoice in the greatest gift of all.
A Christmas Prayer: Heavenly Father, thank You for the incredible gift of Your Son, Jesus Christ. As we celebrate His birth this Christmas, please fill our hearts with gratitude for His love and salvation. Help us to live as lights in a dark world, boldly sharing the good news of His first coming and the hope of His return. Prepare our hearts, Lord, and guide us to reflect Your love and truth in all that we do. May our lives glorify You and draw others closer to our Savior. In Jesus’ precious name, we pray. Amen.
