We romanticize the birth of Christ. It is the most beautiful day in human history for those who know Him. His entrance fulfilled the Father’s promise and the pathway to our salvation. It is rightly celebrated with the soft scenes of a manger and a humble mother and child. Gentle Jesus, meek and mild.
The Old Testament's last prophet prophesied His coming 400 years before His birth.
“Behold, I am going to send My messenger, and he will clear the way before Me. And the Lord, whom you seek, will suddenly come to His temple; and the messenger of the covenant, in whom you delight, behold, He is coming,” says the LORD of hosts.” (Malachi 3:1)
It was such a glorious day from heaven’s perspective that the sky was filled with angels who were awed by the stunning entrance of Christ. They had seen Him in heaven, but now they watched as He laid aside His robes and became a one-cell organism in a virgin’s womb … for the sake of those who would believe.
BUT A TERRIFYING AND DEFINING DAY
But just as beautiful and glorious for the believer, it was the opposite for those who would not believe in Jesus. To all who reject Him, His coming would lead to an undeniable and inescapable judgment for their sins. Christ’s coming would make way for salvation but would also be the instrument to bring the final reckoning upon rebellious men.
“But who can endure the day of His coming? And who can stand when He appears? For He is like a refiner’s fire and like fullers’ soap.” (Malachi 3:2)
“Then I will draw near to you for judgment, and I will be a swift witness against the sorcerers and against the adulterers and against those who swear falsely, and against those who oppress the wage earner in his wages, the widow and the orphan, and those who turn aside the alien and do not fear Me,” says the LORD of hosts. (Malachi 3:5)
The unbeliever will be eternally separated from God because of their unbelief, and the Christian will be brought near and forgiven because of their humble faith. To some, it means death; to others, life.
But one thing is sure: He has come, and every man must make His choice and live eternally with the consequences.
