The idea for this devotion comes from something I heard from Wolfhart Pannenberg, one of the greatest Lutheran theologians of the past 50 years and from a sermon I heard by Dr. A. R. Kretzmann.

The first coming of Christ was as the child Jesus, born of Mary, in Bethlehem. The All-powerful God as revealed to us as a helpless baby. How strange it is that God overcomes the power of evil not by overwhelming it, but by surrendering to it. Every Christian who heard the story of his birth knew where it was headed–to the cross. And every Christian who arrives with him at the cross is assured of the hope of the resurrection.

The second coming of Christ will be when he returns at the end of time as King of Kings and Lord of Lords. The last remnants of darkness–sin, death, and the devil will be destroyed. All the promises of the Lord will be fulfilled. The dead will rise as he rose and enjoy eternal life with him.

The third coming of Christ is his presence in the Holy Communion. Every time we celebrate the Lord’s Supper the true Body and Blood of Christ are present in, with and under the bread of wine. Christ is with us in Communion as certainly as he was in the manager at Bethlehem and as he will be when he come to reign. This coming of Christ bridges the time between the first and second. It helps us to look back to the Christ who came, and ahead to the Christ who will come, by showing us the Christ who is here now in this sacred act.

So we pray as the church has prayed for 2,000 years. Maranatha! Come, Lord Jesus!

Read Revelation 22:20-21, and remember: God loves YOU unconditionally.