The celebration of Christmas really is the celebration of two advents. There is the advent that is past and the future advent that we anticipate. These two advents are merged in the message of the angels at the time of Christ’s ascension.
Acts 1:11 Which also said, Ye men of Galilee, why stand ye gazing up into heaven? this same Jesus, which is taken up from you into heaven, shall so come in like manner as ye have seen him go into heaven.
The same realities are merged in many of our Christmas carols; one illustration is found in, “Angels from the Realms of Glory”. Notice these two lines:
“…Ye who sang creation’s story, Now proclaim Messiah’s birth:”
“…Suddenly the Lord, descending, In His temple shall appear:”
The Christmas celebration is not just a look back, it is a look forward also. Henry W. Longfellow captured this in his carol, “I Heard the Bells on Christmas Day”. Notice this wonderful assertion:
“…the wrong shall fail the right prevail, With peace on earth, good-will to men”.
We who are followers of Jesus Christ have to very much to look forward to. God has wrapped up the future for us as a splendid and unimaginable gift.
