http://bible.com/events/48811986
Newborn King: Tomorrow
Christmas is just as much about tomorrow as it is about yesterday.
We often think about Christmas in terms of our own past, but the truth is, Christmas is really as much about the future as it is about the past.
-People in the first century may have seen Christmas as an end, the ultimate culmination of the promise of God.
-Christmas was really a beginning.
-From our vantage point, we know that something very important was to come after that first Christmas.
-On Christmas, the arrival of Jesus set in motion the kingdom. And while we can experience that here and now, we have yet to experience the ultimate fulfillment of His kingdom.
-The promise of Jesus as king is not just the promise of a baby in a manger. We make a mistake when we only think of our King this way.
Revelation 19:11-16NIV
11 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 wages war. 12 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. 13 He is dressed in a robe dipped in blood, and his name is the Word of God. 14 The armies of heaven were following him, riding on white horses and dressed in fine linen, white and clean. 15 Coming out of his mouth is 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. 16 On his robe and on his thigh he has this name written: king of kings and lord of lords.
-When the king first came to earth, He arrived in humble circumstances, clothed in rags. When the king returns, He wears a robe and with it an exclusive title: the King of Kings.
-Jesus’ first appearance on earth was marked with humility and sacrifice, but this is the picture of His second coming, and now He comes in glory and power.
Isaiah 9:6-7NIV
6 For to us a child is born, to us a son is given, and the government will be on his shoulders. And he will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. 7 Of the greatness of his government and peace there will be no end. He will reign on David’s throne and over his kingdom, establishing and upholding it with justice and righteousness from that time on and forever. The zeal of the Lord Almighty will accomplish this.
-One of the most famous Christmas songs was written not based on the image of the arrival of the king, but rather the return of the king.
-The words for the song “Joy to the World” were inspired by this passage from Psalm 98:4-9
“Shout for joy to the Lord, all the earth, burst into jubilant song with music; make music to the Lord with the harp, with the harp and the sound of singing, with trumpets and the blast of the ram’s horn—shout for joy before the Lord, the King. Let the sea resound, and everything in it, the world, and all who live in it. Let the rivers clap their hands, let the mountains sing together for joy; let them sing before the Lord, for he comes to judge the earth. He will judge the world in righteousness and the peoples with equity.”
Bottom line:
Christmas is just as much about tomorrow as it is about yesterday.
So what does this mean for us today?
1. Promise – Christmas should cause us to shout for joy because our God keeps His promises. And He will again.
2. Peace – Since He is the king, we don’t have to be. We can trust Him to be king today and to king of the future.
3. Passion – The anticipation of Christ’s return should compel us to action.
Scriptures for further study/reflection:
Revelation 1:5
Revelation 6:15-17
Revelation 17:14
Revelation 19:16
Hebrews 1:3
Jude 1:25
Romans 14:10-12
Philippians 2:9-11
Matthew 24:30