Christmas time invokes many different emotions and thoughts … presents, giving, Santa Claus etc. For some people this time is a bit of a chore. For others they see it as a party, family or holiday time. These things, however, need to be put in a proper perspective. They are not the reason for Christmas itself.

For a minority, Christmas is a time of real celebration because of Jesus’ birth. Where sin had destroyed the relationship between God and man, Jesus’ birth heralds the way this can be restored. It was, however, lost on most of the people of Jesus’ time. Only a small number, during his earthly life believed that he was born to die as a sacrifice and substitute for them. Later this was to become many millions all throughout history.

These passages, about Jesus’ first and second coming, tell us that the Christmas story is not the end. Things will be very different when Jesus comes a second time. It is then that he will appear in great power and glory as the King of kings. Those who have turned from their sins and trusted in him will be saved. Those who have rejected him, and gone their own way, will be rejected by him to suffer eternal punishment with all his enemies.