'We shall see Him; but in heaven' - Advent Day 14

Not in that poor lowly stable,
With the oxen standing by,
We shall see Him; but in Heaven,
Set at God’s right hand on high;

We can be surprised, even shocked, to see someone out of context. The boss at a garden centre; an old teacher on a night out.  We often spend time in such encounters establishing just how the other had got to the unexpected place, or why they are there (if not obvious).

The classic carol ‘Once in Royal David’s City’ tells the story of Christ in three very different places – the stable of His birth, His wondrously patterned childhood and then His appearing at the end of this era of history. So let me ask you a question – are you more shocked that Jesus was once a baby in Bethlehem or that He will appear again in the future as the glorious Lord? I suspect that most of us, if we are being honest, are more comfortable with the former than the latter.

Yet if allow ourselves some sober meditation, is it not more incredible that Jesus (a person of the eternal God) would come to Earth as a baby to rescue us than that He would appear visibly as the Lord He rightfully is? Jesus’ first advent is the real shock; his second advent is entirely fitting. It would thus do us well to remain in wonder at Jesus’ birth and to prepare ourselves for His return.

Once in Royal David's City - words by Mrs. C.F. Alexander