Unvisited
“For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord.” (Luke 2:11)
The year it happened, I was 7 years old. My mother, recently single, was working two jobs to keep food on the table. That night, our Christmas Eve excitement would not allow sleep. Every 5 minutes we would shout out in the dark- “Has Santa come yet?” My mom’s weary voice would reply, “Go to sleep! He can’t come when you’re awake.” I have no idea how long that went on…
Finally. Finally! Daylight dawned. My brother and I rushed into the living room to see what Santa had brought- only to find no new presents under the tree. Our little hearts were devastated! Santa had not come? We missed his visit? We ran tearfully to our mother’s room to wake her up. Immediately she said, “Wait! He did come. He just hid the presents in my closet because you would not go to sleep!” With great joy we went to our rooms in anticipation. We had not missed Christmas! Santa had not forgotten us!
At Christmas, we celebrate the birth of Christ. His first coming! Had it not been for that visitation, our eternal salvation could not be purchased! Yes, He came! He led a sinless life, and died a substitutionary death for our sins. Praise God for the wee babe in a manger, who grew to become the Lamb of God upon a cruel cross! These truths are foundational!
“Men of Galilee,” they said, “why do you stand here looking into the sky? This same Jesus, who has been taken from you into heaven, will come back in the same way you have seen him go into heaven.” (Acts 1:1)
But if He only came that one time, then what did He ultimately accomplish? He came and walked the face of this Earth to usher in the kingdom of God. But, oh blessed hope! That is not the end of the story. His second coming! That is the apex of our hope! Just as surely as he ascended in the clouds before the eyes of His disciples, He will come again! Then, we will be caught up to meet the Lord in the air! (I Thess. 4:17)
The “catching away” or rapture of the church! That is when we will begin eternity with Him.
But, sadly, there will be those who are like the 7 year old me. They will think that they are ready, but will be devastated to find that they missed the moment of His visitation. Others will be caught away, but not them! There will be no “do over”. It will be final. As we celebrate Christmas, let us never forget, that we were left here with a mission. A mission to “Go ye into all the world and preach the gospel…” Until He calls us home, or raises us to meet Him in the air, we must be busy bringing His kingdom to this Earth, finishing the work that He began.
Celebrate Christmas! Enjoy the wonder of it all! But let us not forget that our mission is unrelenting! We must tell some. We must warn some. We must win some. Because the day of His second visitation is at hand!
Oh, Lord, wake up your bride! Help us to discern the times and to reestablish our focus on completing our assignment. May there be none left behind who were not told by us! In Jesus’ Name! Amen.
Merry Christmas from my family to yours!
Merry Christmas to you and yours, Sherri.
Oh my. Great thoughts here and oh how I pray we will all be ready. Merry Christmas!