“Silent night, holy night…”
The sky was pure black with the depth of eternity. Stars sparkled, lit by the glories of Heaven. And in the tiny village of Bethlehem, in the remote nation of Israel, a child was born.
Who noticed? The parents, a few shepherds, three magi, perhaps an inn keeper and a midwife. And the rest of the world scurried along as if God hadn’t been born in a manger.
It was just another night…
On a Hill
Spring had sprung with fresh breezes and wild flowers. A young year – full of the promise of business – excited restless souls. And on a hill outside the capital city of Israel, a man died.
Who noticed? His mother, his friends, his enemies, a few Roman soldiers. And the rest of the world rolled along as if God hadn’t died on a Cross.
It was just another day…
The Everydayness of Every Day
How many sensational events in the history of the world have occurred on a day that seemed like every other day? On a day when somebody thought, “Nothing new ever happens”?
Who knew Jesus would be born in a manger in Bethlehem? Who knew He would die on a cross outside Jerusalem? To most of the world, those days seemed like “just another day.”
And yet the most spectacular events in the history of Earth happened during a peaceful night and in the afternoon on a quiet hill.
Eagerly Waiting
Another day is going to dawn just like any other day. The world will go about business as usual. But it will not be a “normal” day. It will be the day Jesus fulfills His promise to come back for His church.
How many of us are eagerly waiting for Him and scanning the eastern sky, hoping to see Him appear? Not many, compared to the population of the planet.
The apostle Peter wrote: They will say, “Where is this ‘coming’ he promised? Ever since our ancestors died, everything goes on as it has since the beginning of creation.” (2 Peter 3:4, NIV)
Promise Keeper
God promised a Savior, way back in Genesis 3:15. The dark powers of evil believed Him. The devil started trying to kill Him when Moses was born. Or maybe, when Cain killed Abel.
Unfortunately, after the passing of 4,000 years, not many people were waiting expectantly for their Savior to appear. But appear He did – in a manger in Bethlehem.
And He will come again. He may be the furthest thing from your mind that day. You may be hassled and frustrated and distracted. Or you may be peacefully resting, not thinking, at all.
And just as He came the first time, in the fullness of time, on God’s timetable, He will return. I know He will come because God keeps His promises.
“…so Christ, having been offered once to bear the sins of many, will appear a second time, not to deal with sin but to save those who are eagerly waiting for him.” Hebrews 9:28, ESV
Today may be the day. Or tomorrow.
On a day that begins like any other day, our Savior will come to take us Home. Even so, Lord Jesus, come quickly!