In a recent sermon I spoke about the difference between the signs of Jesus’ second coming and those present when he came for the first time, born as a baby in Bethlehem.
Describing his second coming, Jesus said: “There will be signs in the sun, moon and stars. On the earth, nations will be in anguish and perplexity at the roaring and tossing of the sea.” Those signs are going to be very hard to miss.
Compare that with the account of Jesus’ birth. There are two signs mentioned in the Gospels. One is the star that guides the wise men but, note, only a very small number of them. It’s hardly shouting out to all and sundry. Then again, there is the sign given by the angels to the shepherds. “Today in the town of David a Saviour has been born to you; he is the Messiah, the Lord. This will be a sign to you: You will find a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger.”
Again, it’s hardly unmissable. No-one else in Bethlehem that night who happened to stumble upon the manger by chance would have thought, ‘That’s the Saviour; the Messiah, the Lord’.
Second time around is for all the world to see without any doubt or ambiguity. Before that, his coming is visible to those whose eyes are open to what is going on. Simeon was one of those. At the end of the Christmas story we read this about him: ” Now there was a man in Jerusalem called Simeon, who was righteous and devout. He was waiting for the consolation of Israel, and the Holy Spirit was on him.“
Firstly, he was waiting, searching for signs of God’s action. He was permanently ready. He was like a twitcher poised with binoculars hoping to see an elusive bird. He was searching for signs of God’s action.
When something is lost in our household, I’m usually the one called upon to search. Why? Because I usually find. I’m then often heard saying, ‘If you don’t look properly, you won’t find!’ or ‘If you don’t expect to find something, you won’t’. If we want our eyes to be opened to what God is doing then we need to be both searching properly and properly searching. That begins with expectation. If we have no expectation of seeing anything then that is likely to be a self-fulfilling prophecy.
Secondly, we, like Simeon, have the Holy Spirit with us. We don’t need angels or stars, exciting though they might be. Wait expectantly and ask the Holy Spirit to show you where God is at work.
So, may your eyes be wide open this Christmas both in awe and expectancy. When Jesus comes again, the signs will be unmissable but, for now, we need to keep waiting and searching – always with those eyes wide open.
Prayer:
Lord Jesus, give me a heart that is expectant of your presence; eyes that are open to see; a mind guided by your Holy Spirit that recognises where you are at work; and a spirit that is ready to join in. Keep me alert and ever hopeful. Amen.