Christmas Time, the Second Coming of Christ and Personal Holiness
by Pastor Ken Harvey
It can be challenging to find deep meaning in Christmastime celebrations when surrounded by many non-religious cultural expressions of Christmas and a busy schedule. The deep theological truths that are represented at the coming of Christ can be minimized. For example, I say things like “God became man” without thinking much of it; in reality, the incarnation is remarkable and impossible to believe for many.
I have been considering other theological truths represented at Christmas time. While reading The Miracle of Christmas by John MacArthur, I was reminded of an important truth on the last page. It was a comparison of Christ’s first and second comings:
The First Time Jesus Came:
He came veiled in the form of a child.
A star marked His arrival.
Wise men brought Him gifts.
There was no room for Him.
Only a few attended His arrival.
He came as a baby.
The Next Times Jesus Comes:
He will be recognized by all.
Heaven will be lit by His glory.
He will bring rewards for His own.
The world won’t be able to contain His glory.
Every eye shall see Him.
He will come as Sovereign King and Lord of all.
This text made me reflect on the glory of Christ in His second coming. When considering the life of Christ, we need to remember all aspects of who Christ is: His purpose, position, function, and titles. When we celebrate the incarnation of Jesus at Christmas, we must consider why He came: to conquer sin. And when we consider God’s plan of salvation through the death and resurrection of Christ, we must consider His second coming. Meditating on God’s plan of redemption will help rid of us empty sentimentalism by giving us the proper perspective to be holy in today’s world. John reminds us of this reality. He connects the return of Christ with the pursuit of personal holiness (also see 2 Peter 3.10-13).
1 John 3:2-3 “Beloved, we are God's children now, and what we will be has not yet appeared; but we know that when he appears we shall be like him, because we shall see him as he is. And everyone who thus hopes in him purifies himself as he is pure.”
During this holiday season, certainly marvel at the incarnation of Christ and the sacrifice of Christ, but also remember that Christ will return.