Immanuel - God with us

Last year as I thought about the blessed incarnation of Christ, the Word dwelling among us in flesh, my thoughts were shadowed by the cross of Christ.

This year as I think about the Word coming to tabernacle amongst us, I am mindful of His return.

It is no surprise, really, that the world can find it in its heart to acknowledge the birth of Christ upon the earth. A baby in a manger doesn't challenge us. Little Jesus, meek and mild.

This year, I want to shout out the truth, that He is coming again. And His second coming will be so different to His first coming.

At His first coming, only a few people were aware of His birth. Mary, Joseph, a few shepherds.

At His second coming, every eye will see Him.

At His first coming, He emptied Himself and made Himself nothing.

At His second coming, He will come revealed in His full glory.

At His first coming, the angels appeared to the shepherds and sang glory to God.

At His second coming, the angels will be sent with a loud trumpet call to gather His elect from the four winds, from one end of the heavens to the other.

At His first coming, the Magi brought gifts to Him – gold,frankincense and myrrh.

At His second coming, His reward and recompense will come with Him.

At His first coming, He proclaimed the year of the Lord’s favour.

At His second coming, He will proclaim the day of vengeance of our God.

At His first coming, the Lamb of God who takes away the sins of the world was despised like one from whom men hide their faces.

At His second coming, men will call out to the mountains and rocks to hide them from the wrath of the Lamb.

At His first coming, He revealed Himself to a nation that did not call on His Name.

At His second coming, He will strike down the nations.

At His first coming, He was wrapped in swaddling clothes.

At His second coming, He will be dressed in a robe dipped in blood.

At His first coming, the Magi bowed down and worshipped Him.

At His second coming, every knee shall bow before Him.

At His first coming, the house of David and the inhabitants of Jerusalem looked on the one they pierced.

At His second coming, they will mourn for Him as one mourns for an only child, and grieve bitterly for Him as one grieves for a firstborn Son.

At His first coming, Jesus wept over Jerusalem.

At His second coming, He will rejoice over Jerusalem.

At His first coming, He was lifted up as He was pierced for our transgressions and bore our sin.

At His second coming, He will be raised and lifted up and highly exalted before all the nations of the world.

As I remember the coming of the King this year, I am overawed. My Jesus, My King, My Saviour, My Lord…I bow my knee before Him. May He grant me a greater boldness in the coming year to proclaim the year of His favour, the year of Jubilee.