The coming of Jesus, which we celebrate at Christmas, involves not only his birth so long ago but also our present expectation for Christ’s appearing again. But what are we looking for? What does this awaited coming look like for us now?
I am with you always, even to the end of the age. Matthew 28:20
Because Jesus is always with us, as he promised, his coming is not the return of someone who has been outside of history or absent from the world for a long time. Instead, as Jesus told his apostles, his “departure” was good for them because he would ultimately be more present through his Spirit (John 16:7) Jesus did not leave us, and yet we are waiting for his coming. What are we to think?
Therefore, prepare your minds for action, keep sober in spirit, set your hope completely on the grace to be brought to you at the revelation of Jesus Christ. 1 Peter 1:13
The “appearing” or “coming” of Christ, which we anticipate, can be spoken of as a revelation, an unveiling. Paul uses the same language in 1 Corinthians 1:7, which raises more questions. How do we understand this unveiling of Christ if he has always been with us? If Christ is veiled, in what way is he hidden? To whom is Christ veiled?
He made known to us the mystery of His will, according to His kind intention, which He purposed in Him with a view to an administration suitable to the fullness of the times, that is, the summing up of all things in Christ, things in the heavens and things on the earth. Ephesians 1:9-10
The Christ, as the one in whom all things are brought together, is hidden to an unbelieving world. But to those who have come to know the mystery of what God is doing, he is no less than the unity and oneness of all that is, on the earth and in the spiritual realm. When he is manifest or unveiled for who he is, then we see him as All in all.
When Christ is revealed in this way, we see the truth of all things being made holy, just as he is holy. The one who created all things has redeemed all things, reconciling the world to God. When Christ is revealed, this is how we see him (1 John 3:2).
When Christ, who is our life, is revealed, then you also will be revealed with Him in glory. Colossians 3:4
We also come to see ourselves more clearly in his appearing, the truth of who we are before God. We are those who in Christ participate in the glorious divine reality. We wait for Christ to appear, not only to be revealed to us, but to the whole world, for he is the Wisdom and Word of God. He is all things made holy and now united in himself to God.
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