Advent week four celebrates the final divine entrance into the world. God will send Jesus to claim His followers and then terminate history, as we know it. Jesus’ return will be the final event to restore the perfect garden.

When God breaks into history with Jesus descending from the heavens, I will be a participant.

I am glad it was not my lot to live during the centuries waiting for the birth of the Messiah. I wish I could have been present when the shepherds worshiped before the feed trough where baby Jesus lay. I am grateful I missed the crucifixion.

I would like to have seen the spirit descend on the Apostles and heard the power of the spirit’s roar. I would have loved to hear Peter’s entire sermon. Surely, it would have been a highlight to be among those who learned first of Jesus’ forgiveness. What would it have been like to see the baptism of the first 3,000 believers? I witnessed none of the above.

However, the next time God breaks into history, I’ll be there. Will I will be scared speechless or will I will experience a peace in my spirit unequal to anything I have ever known?

During the fourth and final week of Advent, from December 23 -29, my prayers will focus on anticipation.

I can’t imagine what it will be like to be present at the culmination of history. To receive the “thumbs up” sign for the God of the universe as He says the words, “Well done good and faithful servant,” will be a sweet sound. They will be words I do not deserve—heard with the ears of my new, heavenly body. However, they will be words that belong because God will see the sacrificial shadow of His son Jesus between us.

Then, ultimate good—never again to lose—will be my experience for eternity. I will be home in God’s holy garden space to love, visit, and worship Him forever. I will live with the saints of history in the presence of Jesus and the Holy Spirit. Pain, death, and other residuals of sin will be no more.

A prayer for the return of Jesus should always vibrate in my heart. To spend seven days in December—or any other month—anticipating the fulfillment of God’s promises should be a delight.

I could get into this Advent stuff. It is a double win. I enjoy all of the fun and giving of Christmas and spend dedicated time in thanksgiving for the greatest of all gifts.

Stay tuned. – Gary J. Sorrells