Waiting for Christmas | Eagerly Anticipating Christ's Return This Christmas
Dec 25, 2024
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Feeling the holiday spirit? This discussion brings to life the eager anticipation of Christ's return, likening it to a child's excitement for family gatherings. It contrasts His humble birth with the glory expected at His second coming, emphasizing the joy and purpose of Christmas. Personal stories weave in the importance of faith and trust in God during this season. Plus, learn how to support new believers and evangelism efforts, making this Christmas not just a celebration, but a moment of reflection and commitment to faith.
Listeners are encouraged to actively participate in evangelism and share the gospel, reflecting the urgency of fulfilling the Great Commission during the holiday season.
The podcast emphasizes the importance of eagerly awaiting Christ's return, using biblical figures Simeon and Anna to illustrate true anticipation and unwavering faith.
Deep dives
Inviting Participation in God’s Work
The discussion encourages listeners to engage actively in the mission of sharing the gospel, highlighting a year-end match fund that doubles contributions. This initiative aims to reach out to unexpected people through various evangelistic avenues, including events and media. The goal is to fulfill the Great Commission by collectively investing in God’s work, creating a platform for community members to participate in spiritual outreach. After enjoying time with family during the holiday season, individuals are reminded of their role in this important spiritual mission.
The Anticipation of Christ's Return
Listeners are inspired to eagerly await the second coming of Christ, paralleling the excitement children exhibit when anticipating the arrival of family members during the holidays. Two biblical figures, Simeon and Anna, are presented as symbols of true anticipation, having waited patiently for the Messiah's birth. Simeon's unwavering faith in God's promise, despite a long period of silence from God, illustrates the importance of trusting in divine promises. Anna's dedication to worship and acknowledgment of Jesus at the temple serves as a model for believers to actively proclaim their faith while awaiting Christ’s return.
The Significance of Christ’s Birth and Sacrifice
The podcast reflects on the profound connection between Christ's incarnation and his ultimate sacrifice, emphasizing that Jesus was born with the purpose of dying for humanity’s sins. Each event surrounding his birth is juxtaposed with details of his future return, portraying the contrasting themes of humility and glory. The message underscores that accepting Jesus and his sacrifice transforms lives and grants eternal hope. By encouraging faith in him, the discussion highlights the importance of embracing Christ’s gift for personal salvation and spiritual integrity in light of his imminent return.
Many of us have homes full of family today. It’s especially fun to watch little kids as they wait for Grandma and Grandpa to arrive . . . or maybe their favorite cousins. They look out the window, they open the door to listen. They’re full of eager anticipation. Well, we need to have the same sense of anticipation for the second coming of Christ. Today on A NEW BEGINNING, Pastor Greg Laurie helps us celebrate His first coming, and eagerly anticipate His return. It’s the best way to celebrate Christmas.
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A New Beginning is the daily half-hour program hosted by Greg Laurie, pastor of Harvest Christian Fellowship in Southern California. For over 30 years, Pastor Greg and Harvest Ministries have endeavored to know God and make Him known through media and large-scale evangelism. This podcast is supported by the generosity of our Harvest Partners.