“Therefore you also be ready, for the Son of Man is coming at an hour you do not expect.”— Luke 12:40 (NKJV) 

As you read this Christmas has just passed and one of the most asked questions of the last several weeks has been “Are you ready for Christmas?” It’s just a way we have of passing the time and making conversation without getting too personal with those we hardly know.

When I think about that question it brings me to the realization that 2,000 years ago Christmas happened, Christ came, without permission from the world, without the consent of the Chief Priest or the Pharisees. He came at just the right time, and in just the right place to accomplish His purpose. His birth had been prophesied for thousands of years prior to the miraculous event, yet few actually believed it when it occurred.

You see, the people of that era were not ready for Christmas either; although for different reasons than we have today. Most of the people had very limited access to the Scriptures that spoke of the coming of the Messiah, many were not aware of the prophecies concerning His coming (probably one reason that He came to the shepherds instead of the Priests).

The Church was particularly not ready for the teachings of Jesus and the drastic changes that He required of it. Be that as it may, Jesus came as foretold and began a ministry that still touches and changes lives some 2,000 years later.

Then there is our verse above — we are to be ready for His second coming, as they should have been ready for His birth. The world need not give its permission for Christ to return; the Church will not give the signal for the trumpet to sound; and, are you ready for Christmas, will not be the question of the day.

The question for all mankind will be, are you ready for Jesus? He will come as a thief in the night (1 Thessalonians 5:2, suddenly, and without warning). While many can only tremble in amazement, and wonder what is happening, those who know Jesus as Lord and Savior will know that He has come back for His Church.

Friends, we must each know Him for ourselves, and be ready for His return; our eternal destination rests in the answer.

Bobby Thornhill is a retired Methodist preacher.