This final week of Advent I want you to think about things you should Open Before Christmas. Today I want to encourage you to Open Your Eyes.

When you open your eyes and see the decorations around town in all their glory, maybe they can remind you of how the glory of God was revealed when He sent His Son down here to us. And when you see the decorations in your own home, no doubt many of then bring back memories, reminding you of past blessings. Remember that God saw all of those things, too. As you open your eyes to the decorations all around you, take notice of the ones that are there to honor Jesus Christ and what He has done for the world. Many of them may not say anything about Jesus, but they all, even Santa Claus, have their origins in what happened in that stable at Bethlehem. When you see them, remember what God has done.

Many of those decorations have to do with LIGHT! Candles are used in decorations more at this time of year than any other, as they are in the Advent Wreath. It is time for flames to flicker, and we look forward to the Candlelight Service on Christmas Eve. But there are all kinds of lights being used, from incandescent to leds and everything in between, including those strands on the prelit Christmas trees that cause so much frustration when they don’t work after the first year! If you can move beyond your frustrations, let all those candles and lights remind you of the stars twinkling over Bethlehem, one brighter that all the rest, marking the arrival of God’s Son, the Light of the world.

“Be Watchful” is an Advent Theme, and to do that you must open your eyes. With your eyes open, look forward to what God has promised: heaven. One Advent Hymn begins “Jesus, Thy Church with Longing Eyes for Thine expected coming waits.” The salvation God gives is seen in Christ. He was the one who came to accomplish forgiveness and salvation for everyone. Keep that in focus during Advent.

Jesus said there would be signs that the kingdom of God is near, that your redemption is drawing near.

Luke 21:25–28 “There will be signs in the sun, moon and stars. On the earth, nations will be in anguish and perplexity at the roaring and tossing of the sea. Men will faint from terror, apprehensive of what is coming on the world, for the heavenly bodies will be shaken. At that time they will see the Son of Man coming in a cloud with power and great glory. When these things begin to take place, stand up and lift up your heads, because your redemption is drawing near.”

That is to be our posture during this season of Advent. Keep your eyes open as you wait to celebrate the birth of our Lord and we wait for His return to take us all to be with Him.