Christmas Advent Bible Reading Plan: Jesus Is BornSampel

To Reign as King Forever

Perhaps it’s a byproduct of ageing, but Christmas seems to be getting shorter. Don’t get me wrong - it starts in the shops earlier and earlier, but the things that are the true essence of Christmas - the minutes spent singing by candlelight on Christmas Eve, the special family moments, the really good parts - seem to go by at an accelerated pace.

That may be true on the human level; life has a way of speeding up as the years go on, but that is not the case in the heavenly realm. The truest realities of Christmas are never diminished, no matter how many years we celebrate them.

In the midst of many phrases that you’ll hear this Christmas, let me place two more words in your heart: He remains. They are found in Psalm 146:6: “He remains faithful forever.” Hebrews tells us that “because he remains forever, he holds his priesthood permanently” (Hebrews 7:24).

These may seem like simple words, but if we allow them, they point to a simple truth that lifts our eyes from the manger straight up to the throne of God. God delivered the revelation through the prophet Nathan: “‘Your house and kingdom will endure before me forever, and your throne will be established forever’” (2 Samuel 7:16). King David’s rule was not eternal. It came and went, just like Christmas morning, so the forever throne Nathan spoke of belongs to Christ alone.

Presents are opened and then forgotten—yet He remains.

Meals are prepared and then scooped into containers as leftovers—yet He remains.

Christmas cards make their way from our mailboxes to our recycling bins—yet He remains.

Years come and go—yet He remains.

The trimmings of Christmas can only ever be temporary, but the heart of Christmas—that Jesus entered the world as a baby and would one day rule and reign in righteousness—goes on forever and ever and ever. So, enjoy every Christmas meal, and hold your loved ones close. Savour every moment, but grieve not when the wrapping paper is in the dumpster, and the decorations are put away again. For He remains.

Prayer

God, thank you that you remain. In every season, You always have, and You always will remain. Show me how to savour the moments and not get so lost in the busyness of the season that I miss the point of it all. In Jesus' Name, Amen.