December 23

December 23

Ornament with the oil lamp

As we are spending time anticipating the celebration of the birth of Jesus, it is easy to look back with fondness and joy at the ways the Scripture points us to the coming King.  

Yesterday we remembered WHY the King came- to suffer and die on the cross, providing a way for us to be saved.

Today, on the day before Christmas Eve, we will spend a few minutes talking about the SECOND ADVENT.  Did you know that in the Bible, Jesus never tells us to remember his birth?  BUT, Jesus DOES tell us to be ready for his return, or the second Advent.  

Matthew 25:1-13 is a parable that Jesus used to illustrate the need for being prepared for his return.  

“Then the kingdom of heaven will be comparable to ten virgins, who took their lamps and went out to meet the bridegroom. 2 Five of them were foolish, and five were prudent. 3 For when the foolish took their lamps, they took no oil with them, 4 but the prudent took oil in flasks along with their lamps. 5 Now while the bridegroom was delaying, they all got drowsy and began to sleep. 6 But at midnight there was a shout, ‘Behold, the bridegroom! Come out to meet him.’ 7 Then all those virgins rose and trimmed their lamps. 8 The foolish said to the prudent, ‘Give us some of your oil, for our lamps are going out.’ 9 But the prudent answered, ‘No, there will not be enough for us and you too; go instead to the dealers and buy some for yourselves.’ 10 And while they were going away to make the purchase, the bridegroom came, and those who were ready went in with him to the wedding feast; and the door was shut. 11 Later the other virgins also came, saying, ‘Lord, lord, open up for us.’ 12 But he answered, ‘Truly I say to you, I do not know you.’ 13 Be on the alert then, for you do not know the day nor the hour.

This is a reminder for believers to continue pursuing the Lord.  We must be concerned with doing our Bridegroom honor and glory, and we should not be like the foolish virgins, who had the lamp, but no oil.  

Those who haven’t yet trusted in Jesus as their King can also learn from this parable.  We don’t know the hour when Jesus will return.  Why delay?  Second Corinthians 6 says,

“We also urge you not to receive the grace of God in vain—  for He says,

‘At the acceptable time I listened to you,
And on the day of salvation I helped you.’

Behold, now is ‘the acceptable time,’ behold, now is ‘the day of salvation.’”

Advent is all about preparing for the coming of Christ.  As we hang the ornament with the oil lamp, let us also remember to be prepared for His return!