Well, it’s finally Christmas Eve, and I bet the “word of the day” is ANTICIPATION! As the “Christmas Song” goes, “. . . and kids from one to 93, will find it hard to sleep tonight.” Children will be putting out carrots for the reindeer and cookies and milk for Santa. Of course, the threat of just getting a “lump of coal” has caused many to “walk the straight and narrow” for a few weeks. But, they will FINALLY get to open those presents which have been under the tree for SO LONG! Now, I don’t know about you, but in my house, children aren’t the only ones anticipating the next couple of days, my girls are coming home! I’m so excited! I’ve got pies and fudge made. I’ve been preparing all week. Then, next week, my Mother and two sisters are coming for a couple of days while my aunt from New Orleans is here. Yes, I am full of anticipation.
But, you know what? Someone much more important than Santa is coming one day. On the day that Christ ascended up into heaven, the angel told His followers, “This same Jesus, which is taken up from you into heaven, shall so come in like manner as ye have seen Him go into heaven” (Acts 1:11b). Paul explained to Christians in Thessalonica, “But I would not have you to be ignorant, brethren, concerning them which are asleep, that ye sorry not, even as others which have no hope. For if we believe that Jesus died and rose again, even so them also which sleep in Jesus will God bring with Him. For this we say unto you by the word of the Lord, that we which are alive and remain unto the coming of the Lord shall not precede them which are asleep. For the Lord, Himself shall descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel, and with the trump of God: and the dead in Christ shall rise first: Then, we which are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds, to meet the Lord in the air: and so shall we ever be with the Lord” (I Thessalonians 4:13-17). Yes, “and as it is appointed unto men once to die, but after this the judgment:” (Hebrews 9:27). We all have an upcoming appointment with Christ. Are you excitedly preparing for that visit? Are you doing the things in this life that will enable you to “ever be with the Lord” in the next life?
In our society, most people will do everything that they can to live just a little bit longer. And, I understand the desire to spend as much time as we can with our loved ones here on earth, but Jesus is coming! Are you anticipating the day when Christ comes back? Are you looking forward to seeing loved ones who have gone on, again? Oh, think of the reunions we will enjoy on that day! On the day of our death, we will start enjoying the “retirement” for which we have worked our whole lives. For prepared Christians, oh what a wonderful day that will be. It will definitely be better than Christmas! Simply blessed, Courtney