Advent is here, a season of expectancy as Christians around the world celebrate the first coming of Jesus Christ as Savior 2,000 years ago and anticipate His eventual second coming as Judge.

The first and second comings of Jesus to earth must be held in balance for the Advent season to have its full meaning. Even amid the madness of shopping, spending, and decorating, it’s hard not to get caught up in a wistful, childlike eagerness for Christmas morn in the weeks following Thanksgiving. Somewhere in all of the craziness, most folks, religious or not, retain a vague memory of the story behind it all–the story of a promise, a virgin, a journey, and a humble birth. But thinking only of Jesus’ coming as a baby is to embrace the shallow sentimentalism of good cheer and vague hope that, for all-too-many, will have vanished by December 26th. This view forgets the angels’ words to the disciples at the ascension of Jesus in Acts 1:11:

“Men of Galilee,” they said, “why do you stand here looking into the sky? This same Jesus, who has been taken from you into heaven, will come back in the same way you have seen him go into heaven.”

It wasn’t just to give hope to men that the Son of God came to earth; it was to make men holy. Jesus’ righteous life and shed blood provide both hope and holiness to every person who receives Him and His gift of forgiveness by faith. Yet, in order for hope and holiness to be manifest in the world, Jesus must and will one day come again as the disciples were promised. This second coming is the supreme hope of every Christ-follower and should be the supreme dread of everyone who rejects Jesus as Savior.

If Jesus were to return today, what would His arrival bring to you: joy or judgment? To experience true joy today, and true joy on the Day of Jesus’ second coming, you must believe that He grew from the babe in the manger to endure God’s bruising judgment on the cross for your sake.

This Advent season, join us at Bridge Church, Sunday mornings at 10, as we look to the manger rejoicing that Jesus has come, as we look to the cross remembering the price He paid for our ransom, and as we turn our gaze heavenward, longing for His promised return!