“’Twas the night before Christmas and all through the house”… Eager anticipation fills the air as children prepare – Santa Claus is coming tonight! Stockings are hung, and cookies and milk are carefully set by the fire. With no thoughts of sleep, they are herded off to bed hardly able to wait for the coming day. He is coming, yes, they believe he is coming.

Part of the celebration of Christmas is about coming. For some families, the only celebration is the coming of Santa Claus and the delights he will bring. The most important coming marks the true reason most families celebrate – the birth of our Savior.

“And Joseph also went up from Galilee, from the town of Nazareth, to Judea, to the city of David, which is called Bethlehem, because he was of the house and lineage of David, to be registered with Mary, his betrothed, who was with child. And while they were there, the time came for her to give birth. And she gave birth to her firstborn son and wrapped him in swaddling cloths and laid him in a manger, because there was no place for them in the inn.

And in the same region there were shepherds out in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night. And an angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were filled with great fear. And the angel said to them, “Fear not, for behold, I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people. For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord. And this will be a sign for you: you will find a baby wrapped in swaddling cloths and lying in a manger.” And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God and saying,

“Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace among those with whom he is pleased!”” (Luke 2:4-14)

While Santa Claus does not really come in the way children believe, Jesus did come. The Old Testament is filled with prophecies of His coming that led people to wait for the coming Messiah. Little did they know the King of kings would be born in a manger. Humble beginnings, a humble life, and a death given in humility, yet Jesus came to give us the greatest gift He alone could give.

“For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life.” (John 3:16)

The most precious gift came in the birth of our Savior. We celebrate His coming at Christmas. With prophecies fulfilled, the waiting for the coming King was over, yet many looked for a salvation different from what Jesus offered. His gift of salvation satisfied the payment for mankind’s sin that God required. A gift freely given, but it is not a gift unless it is received. For those who have accepted God’s gift of salvation, the waiting continues. One day, Jesus will return and take us home to be with Him.

As children prepare for the coming of Santa at Christmas, we wait and prepare for the second coming of Jesus. The King of kings is coming again!

Will you be ready? What are you waiting for?

Merry Christmas!

Susan