Anticipate Christ’s Coming

by Annie Yorty ©2021

Anticipation—the hope of something to come. Even before Thanksgiving, everything in our consumer-driven world screams, “Christmas is coming!” Who among us doesn’t feel the pressure to get ready? In this first blog of Advent, we will explore how we can anticipate Christ’s coming as Christmas approaches.

Anticipation Deferred

Anticipation can be both delicious and excruciating. My dear hubby, Jeff, often traveled to far-flung outposts with the Air Force. One year he was in Turkey for several weeks without any communication. That short time seemed long to me as an adult, but to our small children, his absence spanned eternity.

“Where Daddy?” Stuart, just a toddler, asked about his daddy every day. When Jeff’s return was imminent, I began a daily countdown. On the whiteboard in the kitchen, I drew five smiley faces. (Today we call these emojis! 😊 Who knew I was starting a trend?)

“Just five more days until Daddy comes home.” Stuart’s face lit up as I erased one emoji. His mind clicked and whirred with anticipation of seeing his daddy again. A little man of action, Stuart scrawled a picture to welcome Jeff home. Big sister Alyssa, too, wanted to prepare. She insisted on planning special food for Jeff’s arrival.

The day finally came to pick up Jeff at the airport. Shortly after the time noted on his itinerary, I negotiated the maze of cars littering the arrival lanes. Alyssa and Stuart’s heads craned to spot their daddy. I paused, the minivan idling, also scanning the crowd. No Jeff.

When I noticed a scowling police officer marching toward me, I pulled away from the curb to circle the airport. Obviously, a mom and two young kids in a beat-up Dodge van were no threat, but TSA rules are rules.

In pre-cell phone days, calling was impossible, so we repeated this scene many times, our hearts dropping lower each time around.  Finally, we turned toward home.  Alyssa and Stuart sniffled their deep disappointment. I struggled to reassure them while my anxious thoughts darted through imagined terrible scenarios.

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Advent Contrasts

Before Jesus was born, people suffered under Roman rule. The Jews had been promised their Messiah was on the way, but that had been four hundred years earlier. They longed for His kingdom to come, but some had despaired. Most weren’t exactly sure what “His kingdom” meant, but dire need gripped them.

Then along came a strange man, John the Baptist, bearing a hopeful message. A message which led some to anticipate Christ’s coming. In John’s words, there are several contrasts which we will explore during the season of Advent. The first appears in Matthew 3:2.

Now in those days John the Baptist came, preaching in the wilderness of Judea, saying, “Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand” (Matthew 3:2 NASB).

The Old Testament specifically refers several times to this future kingdom, but John the Baptist claimed its arrival was now approaching. I’m sure the people who first heard that message wondered at the phrase “the kingdom of heaven.” And today we should think about it too as we anticipate Christ’s coming.

Kingdom of earth      ⇐⇒      Kingdom of heaven

Let’s break down John’s statement.

Kingdom

Merriam Webster defines a kingdom as “a politically organized community . . . headed by a king or queen.”

John the Baptist references one kingdom, the kingdom of heaven, but another is implied. Since he and his audience reside on earth, we understand that the contrasting kingdom is the kingdom of earth.

Heaven

Heaven refers to the spiritual realm, while earth refers to the worldly realm. If each of these is a kingdom, each also has a ruler. For now, Satan, God’s enemy, is allowed to be the prince of the earth (John 12:31). That’s why earth is such a chaotic mess. But God reigns supreme in the perfect heavenly kingdom.

At hand

At hand means impending. Close in proximity and time. Anticipate!

The psalmist gives more information:

[God’s] kingdom is an everlasting kingdom, and Your dominion endures throughout all generations (Psalm 145:13a NASB).

This psalm explains the kingdom of heaven is an eternal realm where God is the Sovereign whose perfect will is followed.

John the Baptist was God’s final prophet before Jesus’ arrival on earth (Matthew 11:10). He pointed attention to Jesus, the King of the kingdom of heaven.

Jesus came to earth to fulfill God’s perfect rule on earth as it was already fulfilled in heaven.

In my real-life illustration, Jeff did not fly home the day he promised. Plane troubles delayed him. Thankfully, he eventually reunited with us.

But Jesus came on time. Just as God promised, when the right time came, He was born (Galatians 4:4 NLT).

Do we long for Jesus’ perfect rule on this earth? Do we anticipate and celebrate Christ’s coming?

For this first week of Advent, let’s focus together on anticipating and magnifying Jesus as our King.

Practical Ideas

To help you anticipate Christ’s coming, I created an Advent Acronym for you to download and repost on social media. The acronym helps us to remember the Advent season and anticipate Christ’s coming.

I also suggest some simple activity ideas such as Bible verses, a family game, and discussion activities.

Find the Crown—a family activity to anticipate Christ’s coming

The Kingdom of Heaven is like a treasure that a man discovered hidden in a field. In his excitement, he hid it again and sold everything he owned to get enough money to buy the field (Matthew 13:44 NLT).

Purchase an unfinished wooden crown ornament at a dollar store and decorate it with gems and glitter. Or you could simply cut one from card stock. Every evening, hide the crown along with a Bible verse about Jesus and a small piece of candy or a small prize. Allow the children to search for the crown. When it is found, read the Bible verse together. Remind them God’s word is a treasure to be discovered.

Bible Verses and Discussion

Below are some verses about King Jesus to discuss and meditate on this week. Choose one to memorize together as a family. Use the discussion questions for conversation around the dinner table each evening.

Isaiah 9:6 NLT

For a child is born to us, a son is given to us. The government will rest on his shoulders. And he will be called: Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.

Discussion: What does it mean for the government to rest upon Jesus’ shoulders? How do people act in the presence of a king? How does your understanding of Jesus as King cause you to act?

John 12:14-15 NLT

Jesus found a young donkey and rode on it, fulfilling the prophecy that said: “Don’t be afraid, people of Jerusalem. Look, your King is coming, riding on a donkey’s colt.”

Discussion:  Why might the people have been afraid? What do you fear? How does knowing Christ is your King alleviate your fears?

1 Timothy 6:15-16 NLT

For, at just the right time Christ will be revealed from heaven by the blessed and only almighty God, the King of all kings and Lord of all lords. He alone can never die, and he lives in light so brilliant that no human can approach him. No human eye has ever seen him, nor ever will. All honor and power to him forever! Amen.

Discussion:  How has Jesus been revealed to you personally? How can you accept His rule in your heart? This is a good time to share the gospel message.

Revelation 1:5 NLT 

. . . He [Jesus] is the faithful witness to these things, the first to rise from the dead, and the ruler of all the kings of the world.

Discussion:  How can you show your loyalty and devotion to King Jesus?

Revelation 19:16 NLT

On his robe at his thigh was written this title: King of all kings and Lord of all lords.

Discussion:  What offering can you give to Jesus, King of all kings?

Revelation 17:14 NLT

Together they will go to war against the Lamb, but the Lamb will defeat them because he is Lord of all lords and King of all kings. And his called and chosen and faithful ones will be with him.

Discussion:  What does it mean for you to know you have a place of belonging with King Jesus?

Join the conversation:

How do you honor Jesus as King of your life both at Christmas and every day of the year?

I welcome your comments!