Experience the True Glory of Advent's Main Event
The glory of God revealed through Jesus Christ stands as the true centerpiece of Christmas, transcending all seasonal festivities and traditions.
While Christmas brings many wonderful experiences - from presents under trees to dazzling light displays and candlelit carols - these are merely secondary glories that can distract us from the main event: the revelation of God's glory through Christ.
Isaiah's profound vision of God's glory nearly overwhelmed him, yet he prophesied an even greater revelation: "The glory of the LORD shall be revealed, and all flesh shall see it together" (Isaiah 40:5). This promise found its fulfillment in Jesus, who entered our world in humble circumstances but brought divine glory in human form.
As John writes, "The Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we have seen his glory, glory as of the only Son from the Father, full of grace and truth" (John 1:14). Though many missed this glory during Jesus's earthly ministry, we can now see it clearly revealed in Scripture - through His miracles, teachings, perfect life, death, resurrection, and ascension.
During the busy holiday season, it's easy to become distracted by calendars, to-do lists, and household responsibilities. Yet Scripture invites us to behold Christ's glory, allowing the Spirit to transform us into His image (2 Corinthians 3:18). While we now see only partially, as Charles Spurgeon noted, these glimpses should increase our longing for Christ's return when we'll see Him face to face.
This Christmas season calls us to look beyond the temporary spectacles and fix our eyes on Christ's eternal glory. Through Scripture, we can behold Jesus today while anticipating the day when, as Isaiah prophesied, all flesh will see God's glory together.
To truly celebrate Christmas, we must intentionally create habits and practices that help us focus on Christ's glory amidst the season's activities. This deeper focus nurtures our longing for His return and transforms our holiday celebrations from mere tradition to true worship.
Book cover: Growing Together
Through mentoring relationships and spiritual guidance, we can help one another maintain this Christ-centered focus. Whether seeking or providing spiritual mentorship, resources are available to guide conversations that promote mutual spiritual growth beyond surface-level interactions.