December 24, 2014 - Eager Expectation

December 24, 2014 - Eager Expectation
Jon Twitchell

Revelation 22:12-21



He who testifies to these things says,
“Yes, I am coming soon.”
Amen. Come, Lord Jesus.
- Revelation 22:20

Around the world children will lie awake tonight. Whether they are listening for reindeer hooves on the roof or the braying of a donkey named Dominick, they are eagerly anticipating the dawn. They probably don’t have visions of sugarplums dancing in their heads, but they might imagine a new video game, or a bicycle, or the latest iGizmo.

Even adults have sleepless nights on Christmas Eve. Wanting everything to go perfectly for their children, they may sit up late accomplishing some last minute tasks. Conditioned by a childhood of sleepless Christmas Eves, some adults simply can’t sleep because they too are looking forward to opening presents under the Christmas tree.

We could bemoan the ways in which gifts and commercialism overshadow the real meaning of Christmas, and the ways in which the gifts have taken the focus from God’s greatest Gift. However, let’s take just a moment to consider how this eager anticipation experienced by children (and adults) paints a picture of the way in which we ought to long for the coming of Jesus in clouds of glory!

We are anticipating so much more than gifts under the tree - we are anticipating the eternal dawn of the Kingdom of God. We may not be able to count down the days, but we know that “our salvation is nearer now than when we first believed.” (Romans 13:11) As certain as our children will have a present tomorrow, we can be certain that Christ will come again!

When was the last time you laid awake longing for Kingdom Come? Can you think back to the last time your heart pounded with the words “The trump shall resound”? When did you last look at the brokenness in the world around you and cry out for Christ to return? Are you longing for Christ’s second advent with eager anticipation?


And, Lord, haste the day when the faith shall be sight,
The clouds be rolled back as a scroll,
The trump shall resound and the Lord shall descend.
Even so--it is well with my soul.

- Horatio G. Spafford