Christmas is a time to remember, for obvious reasons, that Jesus is coming. His first appearance to this earth was as a helpless baby- how amazing that His second return will be with the power and glory that the first was lacking! (It never ceases to amaze me how God often chooses the unexpected way of going about His will.) However, so much will be changed for us on earth before that happens. How gracious though that Jesus Himself gave us the warning signs and His entreaty to not be afraid. He knows that the things that must happen between now and His return will be worrisome, scary and even downright terrifying. So He gave us His hope- His peace- that we may not be afraid. All things to come mean we are that much closer to going home. Our final, permanent home. How weary we feel after taking a vacation- yet, as we enter our home, a slight surge of energy commingled with relief settles within us. It's the first deep breath drawn, the lightness of setting our bags down. I wonder what that first breath taken in heaven, in the presence of my Lord and Savior, will feel like. So much more than I can imagine, of that I'm certain, and completely fulfilling. Lovely. Perfect. I look forward to breathing in the complete joy and full peace available only in heaven; created by God the Father, handed over by Jesus His Son, and flowing throughout as the Holy Spirit. Don't let this Christmas season go by without appreciating fully the gift God has waiting for us in His presence. And let's remember to thank Him for what we hope- and know- will come.
Romans 8:25
But if we hope for what we do not yet have, we wait for it patiently.
Revelation 11:17
We give thanks to you, Lord God Almighty,
the One who is and who was,
because you have taken your great power
and have begun to reign.
