Worldwide Christmas November 30, 2025 Devotionial

ACTS 1:10-11 | ¹⁰ While he was going and they were gazing up toward heaven, suddenly two men in white robes stood by them. ¹¹ They said, “Men of Galilee, why do you stand looking up toward heaven? This Jesus, who has been taken up from you into heaven, will come in the same way as you saw him go into heaven.”

Advent is about Christmas. It is about remembering the advent of God into human history. It is about angels and shepherds and wise men. But it also focuses on the return of the King, the second Advent. Throughout history the church has often fallen into confusion about this future event. It seems as if one of two errors has often plagued our understanding. Either Jesus' return has been the object of undue focus and speculation, or it has been almost completely ignored. Either it has been a not so magnificent obsession or a great omission.

Both these mistakes were anticipated by Jesus. The two notes of His teaching about His return are designed to forestall them. He encourages us not to ignore the reality of His return and to be ready and prepared every day (Matthew 24:42-43). He also discourages us from turning preparation into obsession by insisting that no one knows the day or hour of His return and those who claim to know should be ignored (Matthew 24:36-41). He does not want us spending our days "staring into heaven", like the disciples after the Ascension, but instead living with hope and anticipation.

In your life, has Jesus' return been a focus of your attention or has it been ignored?

Why do you think there has been such confusion?

How do you picture His return?

Gracious God,

Help me to live expecting Your return and trusting that You will make all things new.

Amen.