Just as man is appointed to die once, and after that to face judgment, so also Christ was offered once to bear the sins of many; and He will appear a second time, not to bear sin, but to bring salvation to those who eagerly await Him.
Hebrews 9:27-28 BSB
Jesus invited a little child to stand among them. “Truly I tell you,” He said, “unless you change and become like little children, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven. Therefore, whoever humbles himself like this little child is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven.
Matthew 18:2-4 BSB
Christmas Eve is an odd time. From a religious holiday standpoint, we often think of it as a quiet time, thinking of the grand event that we will celebrate tomorrow. It is a very big deal in the history of salvation. We can take a meditative attitude because we know what happened in that stable. The first Christmas really had no eve in that anticipatory sense. No one could have known the significance of tomorrow’s dawn.
In our day, the secular takeover of Christmas has given us a wholly different sense of Christmas Eve. It is the time of eager expectation. The media shows us pictures of children avoiding slumber and parents sneaking presents under the tree under cover of darkness. Santa is coming and we are impatient for stuff! I think we might learn something from the kids. Not about passion for stuff, but about expectation of something promised.
Jesus said we needed to be like children in our approach to faith. Hebrews tells us that He is coming for those who are eagerly waiting for Him, not just going through religious motions. We have so much more to expect than a few toys or some jewelry and socks. We expect the return of a Savior. If we take our cue from the Christmas Eve eagerness of a 5-year-old, how should we be preparing for the King’s next Advent? Indeed, this Christmas Eve, He will be in personal attendance at our Sunday service. He promised. What do you expect Him to do for a group of people who love Him and are joyfully awaiting His coming? I can’t wait to see!
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