The King is coming!

• church-life
• christmas

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Published: Wednesday, 23 March 2016 02:19

Written by James Dean

The way the calendar works out Sundays this year means that, even though we're still in November, yesterday was actually the first Sunday of Advent. That's as good an excuse as any and might help explain why we have already put up our Christmas tree!

The nation's attention is gripped by the impending rush to buy gifts and every television advert is now clamouring to gain your attention in the hope you'll want to buy their products.

Anticipation of "the big day" will continue to build over the coming weeks but, as hard as it may be, I hope that you'll not get swept up in the world's view of Christmas but instead you'll take time to pause and remind yourself of what we're really celebrating.

Though you have not seen him, you love him. Though you do not now see him, you believe in him and rejoice with joy that is inexpressible and filled with glory, obtaining the outcome of your faith, the salvation of your souls.

Concerning this salvation, the prophets who prophesied about the grace that was to be yours searched and enquired carefully, enquiring what person or time the Spirit of Christ in them was indicating when he predicted the sufferings of Christ and the subsequent glories. It was revealed to them that they were serving not themselves but you, in the things that have now been announced to you through those who preached the good news to you by the Holy Spirit sent from heaven, things into which angels long to look.

Therefore, preparing your minds for action, and being sober-minded, set your hope fully on the grace that will be brought to you at the revelation of Jesus Christ.

1 Peter 1:8-13

God's people were anticipating the coming of the Messiah. They were hoping for God to fulfil His promise to Israel, but they had set their expectations far too low.

They were hoping for a hero figure to come and release them from the oppression of the Roman empire; God was sending His only Son to save sinners from the power of hell itself.

The King is coming!