He who was seated on the throne said, “I am making everything new! 
Revelation 21:5

As I write this we’re looking forward to celebrating the birthday of our youngest child. (He’s been counting down for weeks, and now we’re down to just hours to go!) One thing we always do with our children on their birthdays is tell them all about the day they were born and all the events leading up to their grand entrance into the world. As little ones they listened with rapt attention, but as teenagers they tend to roll their eyes when the stories begin. We tell them anyway, because it’s important to sow seeds of identity into our children: where you come from plays an important role in where you’re going. Besides, if they insist on giving us so many grey hairs, the least they can do is tolerate a little sentimentality from their parents on their birthdays!

As Christians we look forward to celebrating Jesus’ birth each Christmas season. Some of you have been counting down for months and may have started decorating November 1st... you know who you are! Between countdowns and decorations, it’s part of our family Christmas tradition to read the story of Jesus’ birth. None of us were present for the blessed event, of course, but we recount the details recorded for us, we commit them to memory, and we retell the story every year in the days leading up to December 25th. After all, where you come from plays an important role in where you’re going.

What happens the day after Christmas? It’s something similar to a child waking up the day after their birthday: the countdowns are finished, the anticipation is gone, and the excitement has faded. But wait! The tiny baby that was born in Bethlehem is coming again! Our Christmas traditions are all wonderful, but there’s danger in failing to look past them to the journey that begins with Christmas and ends with “I am making everything new.” As we purchase and wrap presents let’s remember the gift given us in Christ: as a babe in a manger and as a soon and coming King. As we gather with family and friends, let’s keep in mind the celebration of angels and shepherds on the night of His birth...and the celebration that will be when all is made new!

We can look forward to our true home with the childlike anticipation of a birthday or Christmas knowing that the excitement will never fade. The story of Jesus’ birth is mirrored in Revelation, and the “end” of that story is the beginning of our new, eternal home. He dwelled among us as a baby that first Christmas, and God will once again dwell among us in the new heaven and new earth. Jesus came to earth to illuminate our hearts as the Light of the world, and one day He will be the literal Light of the new Jerusalem. What’s one way you can keep your eyes on eternity today?

To read or re-read the overview/summary of this week’s passage, you can click here.