Day 32

The Second Advent



Acts 1:7-11, 1 Thessalonians 4:16-17, Revelation 19:6-16

BY Beth Joseph

Section 4: Waiting for the Light

This story didn’t begin with a baby in a manger, and it doesn’t end there either. Light isn’t diminished when we put away the Christmas tree and blow out the last Advent candle. Christmas Day is a celebration of the start of Jesus Christ’s life on earth, His ministry, death, and resurrection, and the new life He invites us to enjoy. His work in driving out darkness and making all things new is both already accomplished on the cross and still ongoing.

Until Jesus Christ returns, we share in His work as people of the light, eagerly awaiting that promised day.


While we just finished celebrating the Advent season a few days ago, today’s reading reminds us that we are people waiting between two advents—the advent of Jesus’s miraculous birth and the advent of His promised return one day. 

Historically, the celebration of the Advent season was more than just a time of rejoicing over Jesus’s birth. Advent, in its earliest days, was a season of quiet examination and repentance. It was a time to slow down, spend time in prayer and fasting, and prepare your heart for the second coming of Christ. Centuries ago, Advent was also the time when believers would ready themselves for baptism. Not until later centuries did the Church also start primarily celebrating Jesus’s birth during the Advent season. 

Today, our readings draw our attention to this second advent. In Acts 1, we find Jesus giving His disciples some final instructions before His ascension. His instructions come with a promise that the Holy Spirit will equip them for the work ahead (Acts 1:8). After His ascent, the disciples are told that one day Jesus will return “in the same way that you have seen him going into heaven” (v.11). 

It is interesting to reflect on the second coming of Christ and also read Acts 1:8 on the same day. Acts 1:8 shows us that one way we prepare our hearts for His return is spreading the news of His future return in Jerusalem, Judea, Samaria, and the ends of the earth. And because we do not know the timing of His return, we eagerly share the joy of the first advent and tell others of His second still to come for as long as we wait. 

Today’s reading also is an encouragement to our often weary souls. Remembering that one day “we will always be with the Lord” should bring true joy and hope (1Thessalonians 4:17). No more separation from our God—what a thing to look forward to! Don’t forget this joyous news as you pack away your holiday decorations. As we wait for the second advent, let’s continue to celebrate the birth of our Savior and intentionally prepare our hearts for His second coming year round. 

Post Comments (59)

59 thoughts on "The Second Advent"

  1. Lindsey Bradley says:

    I had this same thought!

  2. Lizzy Butterfield says:

    Don’t get me wrong, I’m very excited for the second coming of Jesus and the new heaven and earth! It makes me a little sad to think that it also means no more chances, the end of His mercy for so many people, and the last of His patience for mankind. My heart aches when I think of all the people who are going to miss out on heaven. My mom has always said that this life is the only hell we will ever know but it’s also the only heaven that others will ever know. There’s a lot of beauty and sadness in that thought

  3. Ruth Long says:

    I love that Jesus has a tattoo! It makes me smile SO BIG

  4. Eva-Marie Hester says:

    Living in the midddle of two advents I’m so thankful for the gift Jesus left with me – the indwelling of the Holy Spirit. I want to live fully while I’m in the middle, aware of the Spirit’s Guidence and emulating the character of Jesus. I want to the light towards Jesus, speaking of His first coming as our Shepherd, Teacher and Salvation and His second coming where He come to take His bride hole to live with Him and all of the saints forever.

  5. Jessi says:

    I really enjoyed learning about the magi from this Advent study. Thank you SRT♥️

  6. Bev says:

    My discouraged, weary soul also aches to see people sick, dying, homeless, outcast and tortured. It makes my blood boil when I read about world/religious/political leaders who abuse/oppress/exploit the very people they are entrusted to champion, support and defend.
    I take comfort that one day they will meet my Jesus: the tatted-up, thug Jesus of Revelation 19.

  7. Maria Baer says:

    JENNIFER ANAPOL, I’m studying Revelation on my own and today started doing the SRT Revelation study. I highly recommend the book The End Times in Chronological Order: Understanding Bible Prophecy by Ron Rhodes. I find it to be a great companion to studying Revelation.

  8. Dorothy says:

    Churchmouse, I too leave my nativity sets (yes multiple also) up all year round.

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