Countdown to Christmas

Every year, Christmas remains the most anticipated holiday. The countdown to Christmas, known as the Advent season, is a time of waiting, preparation, and expectation. As we embrace the rush of the season, filling our calendars with festive events and traditions, may we also seek to pause to reflect on the true meaning of Christmas.

The time leading up to the very first Christmas was likewise marked by waiting, preparation, and expectation. The coming of the Son of God had been planned by God Himself before the world was even created (1 Peter 1:18-20). The first announcement of the Good News of a Saviour was spoken in the Garden of Eden:

And I will put enmity between you and the woman, and between your offspring and hers; He will crush your head, and you will strike His heel. Genesis 3:15

This was the first gospel message ever delivered on earth—a memorable discourse, with God Himself as the preacher, the whole human race and the prince of darkness as the audience (Spurgeon).

The promise of the Messiah was entirely God's initiative. Immediately after the fall, He revealed a plan of salvation—a plan only fully understood when fulfilled in Jesus. The battle between Satan and humanity would continue throughout generations, yet a Deliverer was promised: a Saviour, born of a woman, who, though wounded through suffering, would ultimately rise victorious.

Satan may have claimed his first victory, but God would have the final victory.

A Time of Longing & Waiting

I see Him, but not here and now; I perceive Him, but far in the distant future. A star will rise from Jacob; a scepter will emerge from Israel... a ruler will rise in Jacob... Numbers 24:17, 19

As God continued to reveal His plan of salvation through direct revelation, covenants, and prophecies, He stirred within His people a deep longing and expectation for the Messiah.

Through His covenant with Abraham, God promised that the Saviour would descend from his family line (Genesis 12:3). Abraham believed, rejoiced and looked forward to the day of Christ (John 8:56), waiting expectantly for a heavenly city and country (Hebrews 11:10).

In his suffering, Job testified to his faith in a Redeemer:

I know that my Redeemer lives, and that in the end He will stand on the earth. And after my skin has been destroyed, yet in my flesh I will see God; I myself will see Him with my own eyes—I, and not another. How my heart yearns within me! Job 19:25-27

Job's hope rose above despair. Whether pointing to the incarnation, or to the day of resurrection, Job was certain of this: he had an eternal, living, and personal Redeemer whom he longed to see.

To David, God revealed that a future king would descend from his lineage—a king who would reign eternally (2 Samuel 7:12-13). David prophesied of Him, prophecies that were fulfilled in Jesus (Luke 24:44).

Through the prophets, God unveiled an even more detailed picture of His Son's coming: a timeline, a guiding star, a birthplace (Micah 5:2), and a miraculous conception (Isaiah 7:14).

Then, after centuries of prophetic revelation, came four hundred years of silence. No new word was spoken, yet God was still at work. As empires rose and fell, and oppression deepened, the longing for the Messiah grew stronger—setting the stage for the arrival of the Son of God.

The Fullness of Time

The Jews longed for the Messiah. They watched and waited expectantly for His coming. Yet, 'when the fulness of time had come' (Galatians 4:4-5), Christ was born—amid the bustle of a nationwide census, in the weariness of life.

His birth passed quietly, unnoticed by many.

The everlasting King was not born in a palace. His arrival was not under the dazzling spotlight of the world. Only a few found Him—those who were purposefully seeking Him.

Purposefully Seeking Him

After Jesus was born in Bethlehem in Judea, during the time of King Herod, Magi from the East came to Jerusalem and asked, 'Where is the one who has been born king of the Jews? We saw His star when it rose and have come to worship Him. Matthew 2:1-2

The Magi, a mysterious group from the East, travelled a great distance to pay tribute to the newborn King. Ancient historians describe them as a priestly caste of the Medes—interpreters of dreams, observers of the heavens, and students of nature (Herodotus, l.101, 120). They discerned a prophecy that many others had overlooked.

Perhaps dismissed because it came from Balaam, a pagan prophet constrained by God to bless Israel, the prophecy revealed that a unique Star would accompany a future Scepter—a King destined to rule the world.

Contrary to common perceptions, the Magi likely arrived in Jerusalem with a large entourage. Wealthy and influential, they may have been accompanied by an armed escort to ensure their safety and to guard the precious gifts they carried.

They saw the star in the East and journeyed to Jerusalem, expecting the King of the Jews to be born there. Yet the news of Jesus' birth stirred distress among those who had long awaited Him. The religious leaders knew the prophecies, yet they did not seek Jesus. Herod sought Him—only to destroy Him.

The Magi may have arrived months after first seeing the star, perhaps longer, but they travelled from afar with one purpose: to find and worship the King.

Neither the indifference of the religious leaders nor the threat of Herod deterred them. They followed the revelation they had received, then God provided further direction—the King was to be born in Bethlehem Ephrathah.

While Jerusalem slept, God was guiding those who sought Him.

When they heard the king, they departed; and behold, the star which they had seen in the East went before them, till it came and stood over where the young Child was. When they saw the star, they rejoiced with exceedingly great joy. And when they had come into the house, they saw the young Child with Mary His mother, and fell down and worshipped Him. And when they had opened their treasures, they presented gifts to Him: gold, frankincense, and myrrh. Matthew 2:9-11

The star went before them, continuously, taking them by hand and drawing them on. Not to show the way to Bethlehem, for the road was easy, but to assure them of God's guidance to the Child, over whose house it rested (Pulpit Commentary).

God's guiding presence, revealed through the star, filled them with exceedingly great joy—He will always guide those who genuinely seek Him.

The Magi worshipped Jesus, and offered their most precious gifts—yet they were the ones who had received the most precious gift.

Countdown to Christ's Return

So Christ was sacrificed once to take away the sins of many; and He will appear a second time, not to bear sin, but to bring salvation to those who are waiting for Him. Hebrews 9:28

As we prepare to celebrate Christ's first coming, we remember we live in a season of waiting, preparation, and expectation for His second coming. The first Advent has already been revealed; the second Advent is soon to be fulfilled.

The true joy of Christmas was experienced by all who found Jesus—and will be experienced again by all who still seek and worship Him, longing and waiting for His appearing.

May His guiding light lead us now and always, just as it led the Magi long ago.

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