Christmas is a paradox of longing and fulfillment for Christians. We sing “Come Thou Long Expected Jesus” on the very holiday that celebrates his incarnation. We know Christ has already come, yet we long for him to come again. In fact, the reality that God is with us fuels our longing for his second advent.
Throughout December, we look back at God’s Old Testament promises to send the Messiah to save his people. Then we see in the Gospel accounts how he did exactly what he said he’d do, down to the last detail. So as we read Jesus’s New Testament promise to come again, we eagerly await the final day when our rescue will be complete.
Distracted Longing
Or maybe we don’t. Perhaps we’re so distracted by the cares of daily life that we don’t give much thought to Christ’s return. Maybe we’re so used to relying on ourselves that we don’t feel our need for the Savior. Maybe our satisfaction with worldly treasures has dulled our longing for the better portion. How can we rekindle our longing for Christ this Advent season? How can we prepare for his return with expectant hope?
The reality that God is with us fuels our longing for his second advent.
John the Baptist prepared God’s people for the Messiah’s first coming and announced his arrival. Were that job assigned to us today, we’d likely design a marketing strategy, implement a social media campaign, or line up a string of podcast interviews. But John’s approach was simple: he bore witness. He proclaimed, “Behold, the Lamb of God!” (John 1:36). John exhorted others to take a good look at Jesus, to see he was the Promised One, the Messiah they’d been waiting for.
Rekindled Longing
The results were astonishing: “The two disciples heard him say this, and they followed Jesus” (v. 37). Simply by beholding Jesus, they were compelled to follow him—and to invite others to follow him too. After spending time with Jesus, one of those disciples, Andrew, went and told his brother Simon Peter, “We have found the Messiah” (v. 41).
What drove these men to abandon all and follow? What compelled them to share the good news with others? Meeting Jesus—the Son born unto us to be our Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, and Prince of Peace (Isa. 9:6).
Whether we’re entering this Advent season distracted or weary, anxious or doubting, hoping or hurting, we need to take a good look at Jesus. We need to remember he’s the Messiah who came and is coming again. In Christ, our longings are both satisfied and stirred.
Cultivated Longing
To help us look to Christ this Advent season, The Gospel Coalition’s editorial team has produced a new resource, Unto Us: 25 Advent Devotions About the Messiah. The devotions reflect on the Scripture texts in the Christmas section of Handel’s Messiah. You’ve likely heard the music of this well-known oratorio, particularly the famous “Hallelujah” chorus. But you may not realize all the lyrics are Scripture passages arranged to tell the story of Christ as the long-awaited Savior.
We’ve included 25 devotions so you can begin on December 1 and work through one reading per day until Christmas. Each devotion includes a brief Scripture reading, a devotional reflection, and questions for response. We encourage you to find a recording of Messiah and listen to the corresponding movement for each day.
In Christ, our longings are both satisfied and stirred.
You may choose to use this devotional individually, asking the Spirit to satisfy and stir your longing for Christ. But we also encourage you to consider, as the disciples did, who you can invite to behold Jesus along with you. These devotions can be used for family worship, with a group from your church, or with an unbelieving neighbor or friend.
However you use it, we pray this devotional will help you reflect on the wonder and glory not of a beautiful piece of music but of the Messiah it celebrates. May it stir in our hearts a longing to join our voices with that great multitude John describes in Revelation 19:6–7, which cries out,
Hallelujah!
For the Lord our God
the Almighty reigns.
Let us rejoice and exult
and give him the glory.
Surely he alone is worthy of all glory and honor and praise. Join us as we meditate on the Messiah this Christmas season. May we remember with fresh wonder that a Savior has been born unto us.