Advent Continues

Read

I Thessalonians 4:16-17 “For the Lord himself will descend from heaven with a cry of command, with the voice of an archangel, and with the sound of the trumpet of God. And the dead in Christ will rise first. Then we who are alive, who are left, will be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air, and so we will always be with the Lord.”

Think

Waiting doesn’t end on Christmas morning. Once the wrapping paper is tossed and the lights begin to dim, we’re reminded that the Advent season isn’t just about celebrating Jesus’ first arrival—it’s about anticipating his return. While the world moves on, leaving the story of Christmas in the rearview mirror, we as Christ-followers are called to keep our hearts fixed on what’s ahead.

The days after Christmas can feel ordinary, even a bit deflating. The buildup of the season gives way to the routine of life. But this is where the true beauty of Advent shines—it’s not about the temporary glow of the holiday but the everlasting hope we have in Christ. Every song sung, every candle lit, every quiet moment of reflection wasn’t just about looking back to Bethlehem; it was pointing forward to the day when Jesus will come again.

If we’re honest, this kind of waiting can be difficult. We’re easily distracted, caught up in the here and now, just like the disciples were when Jesus spoke of leaving to prepare a place for them. Thomas voiced what we often feel: “We don’t know where you’re going. How can we know the way?” (John 14:5). Jesus’ response wasn’t just for Thomas—it was for us, too: “If I go away and prepare a place for you, I will come again and take you to myself, so that where I am you may be also” (John 14:3).

That’s the promise we hold on to as the glow of Christmas fades. Jesus is preparing something far greater than any gift or celebration we could imagine. The waiting may feel long, and the days after Christmas may seem ordinary, but they are anything but. Each moment is a step closer to his glorious return.

So don’t pack away the hope with the decorations. Keep the flame of anticipation alive. Celebrate the promise that the best is still to come. Because with Jesus, every day – even the most ordinary one – is marked by a hope that will never fade.

Apply

Living with the hope of Jesus’ return means letting that hope shape your perspective and actions throughout the day. Tell someone the good news of Jesus, his birth, life, death and resurrection, but also the difference he has made in your life.

Pray

Lord, thank you for the promise of your return and the hope it gives me today. Help me to live each moment with my eyes fixed on you. When life feels overwhelming, remind me of the joy and peace that come from trusting in your perfect plan. In Jesus’ name. Amen.