‘O promised Christ: We are a world at war. Our peace depends on Your coming. We are a sinful people. Our pardon depends on Your coming. We are full of good intentions but weak at keeping promises; our only hope of doing God’s will is that You should come and help us do it. Lord Christ, Word made flesh, our world waits for Your peace, for Your pardon, and for Your grace. Even so: come, Lord Jesus. Amen.’ – The Worship Sourcebook
He has come, and He is coming again. According to the Christian liturgical calendar, today is the final day of Christmas. Christmastide (the twelve days of Christmas) begins each year on December 25th. Lest we move on too quickly from the longing and ache of Advent, or rush past the glory of the incarnation, or stumble into a new year already forgetful of our need for redemption, linger a little longer. He has come, and He is coming again.
The Word who created and sustains the world became created (Heb 1:3, Phil 2:6-7, Jn 1:14). His arrival was not just to sympathize with us in our weakness, but to live a perfect life, to be the perfect sacrifice so that we who are dead can be made alive together with Him (Heb 4:15, 1 Pet 2:22, Rom 6:10, Heb 10:14, Eph 2:5).
Christmas is an arrow pointing to Good Friday, and Easter. He has come, and He is coming again - hallelujah.
Lord, we remember and celebrate that You have come, and You are coming again. In Your name, amen.
Merry Christmas, Happy New Year,
AB