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Christmas is about Jesus—God entering the world as a baby to begin the saving work he will complete when he returns as King. For centuries, Christians have used Advent to look back to Jesus’ birth and forward to his promised return, letting our hearts prepare him room and retelling his story to others. This devotional is designed to help us do just that: to remember the good news of Jesus’ first coming, anticipate his second, and find hope in the One “who is and who was and who is to come.
Behold, I am coming like a thief! Blessed is the one who stays awake, keeping his garments on, that he may not go about naked and be seen exposed!
In Revelation 16, the angels pour out the bowls of God’s wrath and flood the earth with his justice. This sobering picture of God’s righteous judgment against sin and rebellion cannot be overlooked. The sweetness and joy of the Advent season don’t negate the wickedness of the world. Therefore, when we read Jesus saying, “Behold! I am coming like a thief!” (v. 15), we remember that Christmas not only looks back to the manger in Bethlehem but gives a glimpse forward to the Messiah’s second coming.
Jesus came first to drink the cup of God’s wrath for us. He came not to condemn the world but to save it (John 3:17). So at Christmas, we look to the Lamb lying in the manger, who saved us from our sin.
Christ’s birth signifies that God is not indifferent to the brokenness of the world. Revelation 16 signifies that God is also not indifferent toward sin and disobedience. These verses show us that, though he came first in humility, he is not weak. In his first coming he masked his glory, but in his second he will come again, robed in his full radiance, to judge the living and the dead.
Our future picture of the King on the throne aligns perfectly with the baby in the manger in the city of David. Revelation 16 calls us to “stay awake.” Disciples of Jesus should live expectant, active lives of faith, not drifting into spiritual sleep. The bowls of judgment remind us that sin and evil will not have the final word—the life of faith is not a slow spiral into defeat. Pictures of God’s truth and justice on display spur us on to bear witness to the hope extended to the whole world when God came to dwell among men.
Charles Wesley’s hymn captures this beautiful picture: “Joy to the world, the Lord is come!
Let earth receive her King; let every heart prepare him room, and heaven and nature sing.”
Let this Advent season prepare him room in your heart—not only the memory of his first coming, but readiness for his return as well!
In a few quiet moments, listen to or sing “Joy to the World” and ask God to “prepare him room” in your heart and life. Write down one area of your life where you long for Christ’s justice or peace. Then, share what you wrote with someone you trust.
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