ARE YOU READY?
I preached this sermon on December 14, 2025 at the 10:30 AM Eastern service so the information below reflects that date and time.
There are 10 days until Christmas. That’s about 254 hours, or about 15,191 minutes or 911,460 seconds. When you are making preparations for Christmas, every second counts. How many of you have finished all your shopping? Have you put up all your decorations? How many of you use live Christmas trees? How many of you include nativity scenes in your decorations?
Show of hands of those who will attend 5 or more Christmas events this year. Are you wearing the same outfit to each one or mixing it up? Share some of your Christmas traditions. Is it safe to say that Christmas is a big deal? We sure spend lots of time and money getting ready. The projected total amount spent for the 2025 U.S. holiday shopping season (typically November and December) varies by organization, with forecasts generally ranging from just over one trillion to over $1.6 trillion.
Here are the key total retail sales forecasts:
- National Retail Federation (NRF): Predicts total spending between $1.01 trillion and $1.02 trillion, which would mark the first time holiday sales surpass the $1 trillion milestone.
- Deloitte: (De Loit)Estimates that holiday retail sales will total between $1.61 trillion and $1.62 trillion.
Additional Forecasts
For online sales and average consumer spending:
- Online Sales (E-commerce): Adobe forecasts a record $253.4 billion will be spent online between November 1 and December 31.
- Average Per-Person Spending:
- NRF’s survey found consumers plan to spend an average of $890.49 per person on gifts, food, decorations, and other seasonal items.
- Deloitte’s survey indicated shoppers expect to spend an average of $1,595.
- Gallup’s November estimate for spending on gifts was an average of $778.
How is your budget measuring up? Have you included giving to the Lottie Moon Christmas Offering? https://vimeo.com/1105638027
GOD’S PREPARATION
Have you thought about how much God did to prepare for the first Christmas? Galations 4:4-5 ‘but when the fulness of the time was come, God sent forth his Son, made of a woman, made under the law, to redeem them that were under the law, that we might receive the adoption of sons. ‘
The phrase “the fulness of the time was come” (from Galatians 4:4) refers to the moment in history that God had perfectly predetermined for the sending of his Son, Jesus Christ, into the world.
It signifies that Christ’s birth was not a random event but occurred at God’s perfect, appointed time.
Theological explanations of this phrase often include several factors that made the world “full” or prepared for Christ’s arrival:
- Political Preparation (Pax Romana): The Roman Empire had unified much of the world under a period of relative peace and established a system of roads, making it possible for the early Christians to travel and spread the Gospel quickly.
- Cultural Preparation: Due to the influence of Alexander the Great, a common form of the Greek language (Koine Greek) was widely spoken across the empire. This provided a universal language for writing the New Testament and communicating the Gospel.
- Spiritual Preparation (The Law): The Jewish people had been under the Law, which functioned as a “guardian” or “tutor” (as mentioned earlier in Galatians 3) to show them their sin and their need for a Savior. The Law’s work was complete, and its time of guardianship had ended, paving the way for the greater freedom offered through Christ. Let’s celebrate this year by thanking God for sending his one and only Son for us!
(SING) Jesus Christ is coming! Are you ready?
It was a big deal when He came the first time. God made all the preparations. That’s the real reason it’s a BIG DEAL every year when we celebrate. When Jesus comes the second time, it’s going to be an even bigger deal. God is preparing for that event much in the same way He prepared for the first coming. Everything has to be perfect for His entry a second time. Let’s look at some of those prophecies.
Major Prophesied Events
According to various interpretations of scripture (primarily from the books of Matthew, 2 Thessalonians, and Revelation), two events are often cited as essential precursors to Christ’s return to Earth in glory:
- The Great Rebellion or Apostasy (Falling Away)
- A massive “falling away” or rebellion from the true Christian faith must occur. This is described as a rejection of Christ and His teachings, and it is prophesied to occur within Christianity itself.
- The Revealing of the Man of Lawlessness (Antichrist)
- The “Man of Lawlessness” (or Antichrist) must be revealed. This figure is described as one who opposes and exalts himself against every object of worship, going so far as to take a seat in the temple of God and proclaiming himself to be God.
General Signs of the End Times
Jesus and the prophets also described many global conditions and events that would precede His return, which are often referred to as the “beginning of sorrows” or birth pains:
- Widespread Wickedness and Turmoil: The world will experience great turmoil, wickedness, war, and suffering, a time of trouble unlike any the earth has ever known.
- Wars, Famines, and Plagues: There will be an increase in wars, rumors of wars, nation rising against nation, and a prevalence of famines and diseases.
- False Prophets and False Christs: Many people will come claiming to be Christ or will show great signs and wonders to deceive others.
- Global Preaching of the Gospel: The “Gospel of the Kingdom” must be preached throughout the whole world as a witness to all nations before the end comes.
- The Ingathering of the Jewish People: Some interpretations also include the partial hardening of Israel until “the full number of the Gentiles has come in,” and the eventual salvation of all Israel.
Chronological View (A Common Viewpoint)
Many who study eschatology (the study of end times) place Christ’s Second Coming at the end of a seven-year period called the Tribulation. In this chronology, the key preceding events are often viewed as:
- The Rapture: Christ secretly comes for the Church (all believers) to take them to heaven, which is sometimes viewed as the event that removes the Holy Spirit’s current restraining influence on evil.
- The Tribulation Period: A seven-year period of intense divine judgment on the world, during which the Antichrist rises to power.
- The Battle of Armageddon: A final battle that occurs at the very end of the Tribulation, where Christ returns to save Jerusalem and defeat the Antichrist and the armies of the nations.
We all know when Christmas is coming, but only God knows when Jesus is coming again. With that in mind, it’s extremely important that you do your part to be prepared. The Good News is that your part of the preparation requires only ONE THING. Acts 16:31 Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and thou shalt be saved, and thy house. It’s the most wonderful time of the year to get ready for His return. Do it now!
