The Comings of Christ Jesus

We now begin our Christmas Series for 2024. We will be using Revelation 21:1-8 as our bases texts, with verse three, “Behold, the tabernacle (dwelling place) of God is with man”, being the main point. The tabernacle of God that is spoken of here is none other than the Lord Jesus Christ. On Wednesday nights, we will be looking at the promises of God that refer to the first coming of Jesus Christ.

In prayerful consideration of our series this year, I read a phrase that caught my eye and pricked my heart. “Don’t let Christmas distract you from Christ.” Bear in mind that the exact date of Jesus’ birth is unknown. This much we do know. He was not born on December 25th. Sorry to inform you of that. There are a lot of different themes and traditions that are going on in our culture this time of year. The vast majority of them have nothing to do with the biblical account of Christ’s birth and the purpose of His birth.

For example, according to the Catholic Encyclopedia, the word Christmas originates from the phrase “Cristes Maesse”, first recorded in 1038, which means the mass of Christ. But the Incarnation of Jesus Christ isn’t about going to mass. It isn’t about Santa and Rudolph and mistletoes. Although the word “Christmas” is never used in scripture, (neither are the words Trinity or Rapture), Christmas is a time when Christians choose to celebrate the birth of Jesus Christ. But it is much more than celebrating the day of His birth.

Why was Jesus born? According to Scripture, the Incarnation of Jesus Christ, or Christmas if you like, is the proclamation of the gospel or good news about how the Father gave His Son Jesus Christ to die for our sin, that sinners, by Gods grace, by repentance and faith in Him would receive forgiveness of sin, and enter into a relationship with Him of love, hope and joy. 

But Jesus spoke of the reason for His first coming for our sin, He actually said much more about the fact that He is coming again a second time in glory, majesty and power to usher in a new kingdom, wherein dwells righteousness. And for those who received Him as Lord and Saviour, this promise of God is stated at His second coming. Revelation 21:3 says, “And I heard a great voice out of heaven saying, Behold, the tabernacle of God is with men, and he will dwell with them, and they shall be his people, and God himself shall be with them, and be their God”. At His second coming, only those who have repented of their sin and received and followed Jesus Christ as Lord and Saviour will be with joined to and united with Him forever in glory. The beautiful tradition of giving gifts to one another at Christmas is meant to reflect Gods gracious gift of eternal for us. Romans 6:23 says, “For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord”.

Our prayer for you this year is that the real meaning of Christmas would be much more than a one day event that comes and goes, but a new birth that brings you into fellowship with God.  “That which we have seen and heard declare we unto you, that ye also may have fellowship with us: and truly our fellowship is with the Father, and with his Son Jesus Christ. And these things write we unto you, that your joy may be full” (1 John 1:3, 4). SELAH