REVELATION 21:3-4: “And I heard a loud voice from heaven saying, “Behold, the tabernacle of God is with men, and He will dwell with them, and they shall be His people. God Himself will be with them and be their God. And God will wipe away every tear from their eyes; there shall be no more death, nor sorrow, nor crying. There shall be no more pain, for the former things have passed away.” NKJV

OBSERVATION: It is Christmas morning! Many families gather around the Christmas tree on Christmas Eve to open their gifts, while others wait until Christmas morning. Small children run towards the tree with hearts filled with joy and wonder as they look upon the wrapped treasure trove of pleasure that awaits them. We give gifts to one another in honor of the great gift that God has given to us in sending His only begotten Son!

John 3:16-17: “For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life. For God did not send His Son into the world to condemn the world, but that the world through Him might be saved.” NKJV

This is the FIRST Great Gift of Christmas. Yet, there is a SECOND Great Gift that is coming. It is the gift that will usher in God’s full redemption for all who have believed. It will restore man to his created purpose and creation to its original perfection.

It is the gift of Jesus’ Second Coming!

From the closing book of the Old Testament, there were over 400 years before the promised FIRST Gift of the coming of the Messiah. These are known as the silent years, as there were no prophets or revelations from God to His people until the dawn of John the Baptist. It must have seemed like God’s promised Messiah was a forgotten promise to the Children of Israel. Yet, in the fullness of time, God became flesh and was born in a humble manger in the city of Bethlehem.

It has been over 2000 years since that glorious day when angels proclaimed,

Luke 2:10-11: “…Do not be afraid, for behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy which will be to all people. For there is born to you this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord.” NKJV

Messiah had come. Jesus was born. Yet, almost the entire nation of Israel missed the purpose of God’s FIRST Gift. They were looking for a regime change, a ruler who would restore Israel’s prominence in the world. Jesus came as the suffering servant. Jesus came to die in our place and make a way, through the offering of His sinless life, for all who believe to become the children of God!

John 1:11-13: “He came to His own, and His own did not receive Him. But as many as received Him, to them He gave the right to become children of God, to those who believe in His name: who were born, not of blood, nor of the will of the flesh, nor of the will of man, but of God.” NKJV

For many, much like the Jews who lived during the 400 years of silence, the promise of God’s SECOND Gift seems like something that will never happen. Predictions of Jesus’ Second Coming have come and gone, and the world goes on as it always has. The Bible even speaks of people who will mock the promise of God’s SECOND Gift of Christmas.

II Peter 3:3-4: “…Knowing this first: that scoffers will come in the last days, walking according to their own lusts, and saying, “Where is the promise of His coming? For since the fathers fell asleep, all things continue as they were from the beginning of creation.” NKJV

Yet, God’s SECOND Gift of Christmas, like the FIRST Gift, is right on time. As Peter continues to write in his second epistle,

II Peter 3:8-9: “But, beloved, do not forget this one thing, that with the Lord one day is as a thousand years, and a thousand years as one day. The Lord is not slack concerning His promise, as some count slackness, but is longsuffering toward us, not willing that any should perish but that all should come to repentance.” NKJV

God is not late. In reality, it has only been two days (one day is a 1000 years). Jesus was raised on the third day, and He will return on the third day. The promise of His return is imminent and closer than it has ever been. We have entered the third day. The SECOND Gift of Christmas will be the culmination of the plan of God for all who believe. It will be a gift that will never perish and will fulfill ALL the promises of God!

REVELATION 21:3-4: “And I heard a loud voice from heaven saying, “Behold, the tabernacle of God is with men, and He will dwell with them, and they shall be His people. God Himself will be with them and be their God. And God will wipe away every tear from their eyes; there shall be no more death, nor sorrow, nor crying. There shall be no more pain, for the former things have passed away.” NKJV

My prayer for you this Christmas is that you will fully embrace God’s FIRST Gift of Christmas so that you will be included in those who have the privilege of opening His SECOND Gift of Christmas and live in the blessings of His presence forever and ever!

Merry Christmas!

Come, Lord Jesus!

In Jesus’ Name!