Advent is not finished until we observe Epiphany on January 6, focusing on Jesus’ Return. This week’s reflection reminds us that the Christmas story is not complete until Jesus Returns:

IN WORD – “The Lord himself will come down from heaven.” He did that once already, and we still celebrate it every December. But this will be an altogether different Advent—no baby in a manger, no years of growing up in obscurity, and no cultivation of disciples before the truth is found out. No, this time He will come with the clouds, revealing judgment and redemption all in one heavenly appearance. There will be a loud trumpet and shout. The bodies of those who have fallen asleep in death will be awakened in glory, and everyone—even those of us who expect it—will be astounded. It will be a day unlike any other.
There is confusion about that day, as theologians argue about when and how and the order of things, and the non-Christian world chalks it up to wishful thinking on our part. But the hope of the Kingdom is not a figment of our imagination. According to Jesus, “the Scripture cannot be broken” (John 10:35). The Son of Man, by His own promise, will return. All our confusion will be settled, and all our hopes will be fulfilled.
Count on that day. Our confidence as it approaches will shape how we live and how we die. It will shape our values, guide our spending, prioritize our schedules, and strengthen our resolve. Whatever we go through in this life, we look ahead to its completion. We are not aimless wanderers.
IN DEED – That’s the difference between Christians and others. Adherents of most religions speculate about what will happen to them after death. They wonder how many times they will have to die and be reborn before they are merged into some amorphous collective consciousness, or whether they will get a thumbs-up or a thumbs-down on the day of judgment, or whether this is all there is. Not so with us. We’ve been given promises by the most trustworthy Being in the universe. He will come again, and it will be perfect when He does. “The primitive church thought more about the Second Coming of Jesus Christ than about death or about heaven.” —Alexander Maclaren (in “God with Us” by Chris Tiegreen)

Are you ready for Jesus’ Return? It’s much closer today than it was yesterday. For Amillennialist believers, Jesus’ return can be at any time, but if you are a premillennial dispensationalist who looks for signs, it’s definitely much sooner than you think (just reflect on Matthew 24).
Jesus left us with the means to prepare in the letter to the churches in Revelation 1-3. Take time to go through each church’s letter and ask if you need to make any adjustments to your life so that you will be ready for His Return. Ask the Holy Spirit to help you to be prepared should Jesus return in 2026. Have a blessed New Year and 2026! – from Singapore, Pastor Sam