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“He which testifieth these things saith, Surely I come quickly.”  
Revelation 22:20

Christmas

Christmas has always been one of my favorite seasons.   While it is the
celebration of the birth of Jesus Christ into this world, it is also a
season of giving and receiving gifts.  As a young boy focusing on the
“receiving” part of Christmas, I would routinely inform my parents
(“nag” being a better description than “inform”) of those toys that I wanted
for Christmas.  

Before I could read my own name, I would be shown the presents that
were addressed to me, under the family Christmas tree.   I would look at
these presents and judge their size according to the size of the toys
that I had petitioned my parents.    Invariably, there would be presents
under the Christmas tree that matched the size and shape of those toys
that I had requested.   While I couldn’t see through the wrapping
paper, I usually knew what I was getting.

While there was the desire to open the packages, as soon as they were
placed under the Christmas tree, I had to wait until Christmas, not by
my choice, but according to the demands of my parents.    The days of
the calendar would be excitedly marked off, with the remaining days until
December 25th  (Christmas) being counted.  Finally, after what seemed
like an eternity, only December 25th would remain.  Christmas had
arrived.

On Christmas morning, when my parents would give the signal that
presents could be opened, I would rush to the section under the Christmas
tree where I had piled my presents and begin to open my presents (in a
somewhat frenzied manner), as I wanted to see what was inside each
package, NOW.

Finding Christmas

Before Jesus Christ entered this world, can you hear the prayers of
God’s people crying for a Savior?   Since Jesus Christ entered this world,
can you hear the prayers of sinners crying for His cleansing blood?

As children asking their parents for Christmas gifts, God heard the
cries of His people and sent the only gift that transcends eternity:  God
sent His only begotten Son to save a darkened world.  As John 3:16
relates:

“For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that
whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting
life.”
As children will gather around a Christmas tree seeking to find the
gifts addressed to them, people live their lives in anticipation of that
day when they face God for their final reward:  Heaven or Hell.

For parents, it would be an impossible task to attempt to convince your
children that Christmas will be celebrated this year on December 31st,
rather than December 25th.   The day of December 25th has been set
aside as the day for celebrating Christmas; no other day will do.

Unlike Christmas, which always arrives on December 25th, either your
physical death or the second return of Jesus Christ (whichever comes
first) won’t occur on a specific day that is heralded to the people of this
world; there will be no warning.

Imagine the confusion of a Christmas shopper who believed that
Christmas falls on December 25th and then, one year, Christmas comes on
December 23rd?  Those shoppers who wait until December 24th to complete their
shopping would find themselves without presents and unprepared for
Christmas.

When either physical death occurs or Jesus Christ returns, there will
be no time for any last minute shopping; there will be no time to repent
and secure salvation.  As Revelation 3:3, 5 cautions:

“If therefore thou shalt not watch, I will come on thee as a thief, and
thou shalt not know what hour I will come upon thee……He that
overcometh, the same shall be clothed in white raiment; and I will not blot out
his name out of the book of life, but I will confess his name before my
Father, and before his angels.”   Revelation 3:3, 5

As Christmas is celebrated by children happily receiving gifts, the
return of Jesus Christ will be celebrated by Christians happily receiving
eternal life.    Heaven will be Christmas found.

Between Heaven and Hell

As children anxiously await the arrival of Christmas, everyone is
living for the arrival of Christmas, whether this assumes the form of
physical death or the second arrival of Jesus Christ into this world.    As
children are cautioned to be “good”, in order to receive good gifts,
people have also been cautioned to become Christians, in order to receive
Heaven.

Those who have repented and received salvation will receive the
Christmas gift of Heaven.   A place of eternal joy and happiness; there will
be no pain, no tears, and no sorrow.   Those who have not repented will
receive the Christmas gift of Hell.  A place of unimaginable grief and
horror.  A place of eternal pain and torment.

Ecclesiastes 9:11-12 relates:

“I returned, and saw under the sun, that the race is not to the swift,
nor the battle to the strong, neither yet bread to the wise, nor yet
riches to men of understanding, nor yet favour to men of skill; but time
and chance happeneth to them all.  For man also knoweth not his time.”

There is an old adage, “Be careful of what you wish for, you might just
get it.”    In this life, we are given the choice of “wishing” for
either Heaven or Hell (there are no other options).    The wise man not
only wishes for Heaven, but also takes the steps necessary (i.e.,
repentance) to achieve this wish.  The foolish man may wish for Heaven, but if
he doesn’t take the steps necessary to achieve his wish, then he will
most certainly receive Hell.  

As no one knows when either death or Jesus Christ will come, we live
each day on this earth between Heaven and Hell.  As Christians, we have
the assurance that Heaven awaits those who are faithful to God, but we
must still endure, as children waiting for Christmas, the trials of this
world.

“Rejoice, because your names are written in heaven.”
Luke 10:20


Copyright 2002 by Bruce Durbin