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Everyone loves Christ at birth. The image of baby Jesus in the manger of Bethlehem warms our hearts. Every December we relive that moment on our lawns and under our Christmas trees. Shops sell plastic and wooden donkeys. People collect hand-carved images of Mary, Joseph and the newborn baby.
We love Christ in the womb.
We walk well with Christ the gentle Messiah. The children are sitting on his lap. The sheep gathered to him. Apostle John resting on his chest. Mary anointing his feet. No one has a problem with a lovable rabbi who gives wise counsel, feeds crowds, and pours wine at a wedding.
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Christ in bed? It’s amazing. Christ with a good heart? It’s exciting. But Christ the coming King? A horse’s horse? Roar in heaven? Crowned by his enemies? In the task of destroying those who destroyed his children?
The world does not know much about this vision of Jesus. However, this is the Jesus the world will soon see.
Did you know that the second coming is mentioned over three hundred times in the Bible, an average of twenty-five verses?
Scripture overflows with news of Christ’s return like water. To the distressed disciples, Jesus assured them, “I will come again” (John 14:3 nkjv). When Jesus ascended, the angel told the witnesses, “[Jesus] he will return in the same way he saw him go to heaven.” (Acts 1:11) Paul referred to ‘the appearing of our Lord Jesus Christ.’ (1 Tim. 6:14) Peter confirmed: “The day of our Lord Jesus Christ is of Christ Jesus Christ; The Lord will come.” (2 Peter 3:10) Jude announced, “Look, the Lord is coming with thousands upon thousands of his saints.” (Jude 14).
The image of baby Jesus in the manger of Bethlehem warms our hearts. (2004 Getty Images)
We are in the season of Advent. Advent leads us to the beautiful climax of Christmas, when we celebrate the incarnation of God.
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Are we ready for the hope of what will come when Jesus, the very child born in Bethlehem reigns forever?
We are waiting but we must be ready.
We are ready for the coming of our Lord. It is correct. It is waiting. You are careful. Like soldiers guarding the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier at Arlington National Cemetery. The watchful men and women there show an unparalleled level of loyalty. They spent eight hours preparing their uniforms. Gloves are worn wet to improve the grip of the gun. Shanks were attached to the inside of each shoe so that the soldier could click his heels.
Pastor Max Lucado and the cover of his latest book, “What Happens Next” (MaxLucado.com)
The guard repeats the same movement over and over again: twenty-one steps, then a break of twenty-one seconds, the gun is switched to the other shoulder, then twenty-one more steps. He repeats this until he is comfortable with the changing of the guard.
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During the summer months, a soldier is on duty for thirty minutes. In winter, 60 minutes. They carry out their work in the heat of August and the cold of January. The process does not change, even at night when the cemetery is closed. When Hurricane Isabel passed through the area in 2003, the military did not stop. Not once. Trees fell and the wind blew, but they kept their poles.
They have maintained this vigil every day year after year since 1921.
Remarkable.
A US Army 3rd Infantry Regiment soldier, known as “The Old Guard,” walks during a changing of the guard ceremony at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier at Arlington National Cemetery on November 05, 2023, in Arlington, Va. (Kevin Carter/Getty Images)
Question: If they can show such loyalty to unknown, dead soldiers, will we not do the same for our living, coming, reigning Lord? If these guards are willing to walk around honoring those who sacrifice themselves, can’t we do more for our Lord, who sacrificed the most? We are members of his army. We are registered in his army. We will come back with him one day. Can’t we worship him on this day?
Let me clarify. What can you do today to honor your Lord? What kindness can you do? What sin can you forgive? What temptation can you resist? What gift can you give? What discipline would you start with? What sacrifices can you make? What act of love can you show?
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Let’s behave like people who are called to be soldiers in the army of the returning King of kings.
The Christ of the womb is now the Christ with the crown. He is coming soon.
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