It’s that time of year again. You know, the time that some have dubbed the most wonderful time of the year! No doubt you’ve seen the commercials, experienced the decor in every store, and already started digging out the tree and lights and ornaments. And, of course, we’ve all started listening to our favorite holiday tunes.
We, as a people, love Christmas. Sure, there are a few Scrooges out there, but the majority simply love this time of the year. Maybe it’s the fun songs, snowy weather, or cute decorations. Maybe it’s the family time, the giving of gifts, or the ingesting of your favorite recipes. Whatever it is (or whatever combination of those things it is), we love it. We can’t get enough of it. We trample through Thanksgiving so that we can bring on the holly jolly Christmas. And why not? It’s pretty exciting!
And then, of course, there are the true enthusiasts. You know the ones: they have Christmas countdowns going all year long, they start their Christmas decorating well before Thanksgiving, they stock up on even MORE Christmas decor during the after Christmas sales, and they are truly like children in candy stores on Christmas morning. Nothing wrong with those people (I may even be married to one!). They just thoroughly enjoy their Christmas! And it is a wonderful time of the year. Everyone seems so much nicer and happier and smilier (not a word)– with the dark exception of Black Friday.
But as Christians, there’s something else we ought to have our focus on. Peter told us, in 2 Peter 3:10-12,
But the day of the Lord will come as a thief in the night, in which the heavens will pass away with a great noise, and the elements will melt with fervent heat; both the earth and the works that are in it will be burned up. Therefore, since all these things will be dissolved, what manner of persons ought you to be in holy conduct and godliness, looking for and hastening the coming of the day of God, because of which the heavens will be dissolved, being on fire, and the elements will melt with fervent heat?
I love verse 12, because it steps on every single one of my toes. You see, I love Christmas. I get excited about this time of year–start shopping in August, start planning family time in early November– but there’s something else I should be looking forward to, preparing for, hastening the coming of.
John said it this way in Revelation 22:20,
He who testifies to these things says, “Surely I am coming quickly.” Amen. Even so, come, Lord Jesus!
There’s not really much else to say, is there? It’s time for a reality check this holiday season: am I more excited for Christmas to come or for Jesus to come get me? It is my prayer that I can say as boldly and excitedly as John, “Even so, come Lord Jesus!” And that in the depths of my heart I will mean it more than I mean “come on Christmas!”
And, let’s not forget the exhortation from Peter that says “what manner of persons ought you to be?” It’s not about the naughty or nice list…it’s about so much more than that. It’s about living every single day in such a way that my name won’t be taken out of the Book of Life. And if I’m living that way…with holy conduct and godliness…I will be anxious for the Lord to come and receive me!
It’s December 2nd. 23 days until Christmas. Days until Jesus comes: unknown. But let’s be MORE excited for that Day, whenever it is, than we ever think about being about Christmas.
