Christmas is celebrated in many countries around the world.  It is a season of excitement, joy, spending time with family and friends and exchanging gifts.  God gave the best gift ever; Jesus Christ, His Son.  John 3:16-17 says, “For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.  For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through him,” (NIV). 

Jesus came into the earth as a newborn baby.  God placed him in Mary’s womb.  He was conceived of God, not of man.  Therefore, he was not contaminated with sin.  After Jesus’ death, burial and resurrection, he returned to heaven.  However, he promised in his Word, he would return.  In John 14:1-3, Jesus admonished his disciples.   He said, “Do not let your hearts be troubled.  Trust in God; trust also in me.  In my Father’s house are many rooms; if it were not so, I would have told you.  I am going there to prepare a place for you.  If I go and prepare a place for you, I will come back and take you to be with me that you also may be where I am going,” (NIV). 

Jesus will not return to earth as a baby in his second coming.  He will return as the KING OF KINGS and LORD OF LORDS.  The beloved disciple John was given a vision of Jesus’ return. In Revelation 19:11-16, John said, “I saw heaven standing open and there before me was a white horse, whose rider is called Faithful and True.  With justice he judges and makes war.  His eyes are like blazing fire, and on his head are many crowns.  He has a name written on him that no one knows but he himself.  He is dressed in a robe dipped in blood, and his name is the Word of God.  The armies of heaven were following him, riding on white horses and dressed in fine linen, white and clean.   Out of his mouth comes a sharp sword with which to strike down the nations.  He will rule them with an iron scepter.  He treads the winepress of the fury of the wrath of God Almighty.  On his robe and on his thigh he has this name written: KING OF KINGS AND LORD OF LORDS.” 

In Revelation 22:11-13, Jesus said, “Behold, I am coming soon!  My reward is with me, and I give to everyone according to what he has done.  I am the Alpha and the Omega, the First and the Last, the Beginning and the End.  Blessed are those who wash their robes, that they may have the right to the tree of life and may go through the gates into the city,” (NIV). 

What are we, as the body of Christ and his bride, to do as we wait for his return?  1 Peter 3:15-16 says, “But in your hearts set Christ apart as holy (and acknowledge Him) as Lord.  Always be ready to give a logical defense to anyone who asks you to account for the hope that is in you; but do it courteously and respectfully.  (And see to it that) your conscience is entirely clear (unimpaired), so that, when you are falsely accused as evildoers, those who threaten you abusively and revile your right behavior in Christ may come to be ashamed (of slandering your good lives),” (AMPC).  1 Peter 4:7 says, “But the end and culmination of all things has now come near; keep sound minded and self-restrained and alert therefore for (the practice of) prayer,” (AMPC). 

We should also be fulfilling the Great Commission.  Revelation 22:17 says, “The (Holy) Spirit and the bride (the church, the true Christians) say, “Come!  And let him who hears say, Come!  Whoever is thirsty (who is painfully conscious of his need of those things by which the soul is refreshed, supported, and strengthened); and whoever (earnestly) desires to do it, let him come; take, appropriate, and drink the water of Life without cost,” (AMPC). 

Merry Christmas!  Prepare the way of the LORD.  Be a voice for the gospel.  Wear Scriptures.