Regional Synod of Canada - Reformed Church in America

Pioneer Christian Monthly

Date - Nov/88

Contributor - Martha VanderMeulen

Title - Advent: Jesus Is Coming

Topic - Advent

What would you do if you knew that Christ was going to return to earth next month? Have you ever given it a thought? I have heard many different responses to this question, ranging from "I would go on a world tour and spend all my money," to "I would probably make up with my brother-in-law with whom I have been fighting for fifteen years," to "I would tell everyone about Jesus so that they too might be saved!"

What would you answer? I have given it much thought and decided that the best answer is, "I would do nothing different, I would go on living as I am." Would it not be wonderful if you could say that?

Whether we give it much thought, or not, we all know that Jesus will return, we just do not know when (Matt. 24:36). It is in our best interest to be ready. We should not have to make a special effort to go evangelizing left and right. It should already be an integral part of our lives that we share our faith with others. Neither should we have to make things right with our "brother". We should already stand blameless before our God. As appealing as the world tour sounds, to take one just before Christ returns is really a ridiculous notion, knowing, as we do, that heaven will be far greater than anything on earth.

As I am writing this, we are eagerly awaiting the birth of our third child. Although I do not know when he or she will arrive, I will prepare for his/her coming. To do otherwise would be unwise.

Similarly, we have to be ready for Christ's return. We cannot use the excuse that we do not know when He is coming, so why get ready. It may be a long way off, or it may not be.

Two weeks before William, our first child, was expected to be born, my husband, Art, went to California for a seminar. My doctor thought that would be fine, since there was no sign that the baby was coming. Art left on a Saturday. He visited his relatives, and saw Disneyland. On Monday night I called him - our baby was on its way. Art missed the seminar.

Perhaps you are wondering what all this has to do with Advent. After all, is not Advent a time of preparation for Christmas? Yes, Advent is a time of looking forward to and preparing for the celebration of Christ's birth, but it is much more. Christ's first coming is so intertwined with His second coming, that we cannot separate the two. He lived and died so that we might be saved and He is coming back again to take us home. We should anticipate Jesus' second coming with great hope and joy, for it too, will be a great celebration!

So, as we prepare ourselves for Christmas, let us also prepare our hearts for Christ's return!

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