In the first advent, Jesus came to fulfill the promises of God’s people. In the second advent, Jesus will finish the story of God’s people.
Meditate
From the very beginning, God promised redemption. In the Garden of Eden, when sin entered the world, God declared that the offspring of the woman would one day crush the serpent’s head (Genesis 3:15). All throughout Scripture, God’s people waited for that promised child—generation after generation wondering, “Is this the one?” The prophets spoke of a woman in labor (Isaiah, Hosea, Micah), a nation groaning for deliverance. Then, at last, the cry of a newborn in Bethlehem broke centuries of silence. The first advent—the birth of Jesus—was the fulfillment of God’s ancient promise. The nativity scene, often viewed as peaceful and serene, was in truth the first battlefield of a cosmic war. Heaven declared victory in the most unexpected way—through a baby wrapped in swaddling cloths.
Revelation 12 gives us another view of that same story. The Apostle John’s vision peels back the curtain of history and reveals what was happening behind the manger’s glow. He sees a woman clothed with the sun, giving birth while a dragon waits to devour her child. Eugene Peterson once wrote, “Revelation 12 isn’t the nativity story we grew up with, but it is the nativity story all the same.” This is the Christmas story told from heaven’s perspective—the clash between good and evil, promise and opposition, birth and war. The dragon tried to destroy the child, but he could not. The child, Jesus, was caught up to God’s throne, fulfilling Psalm 2: the One who would rule all nations with an iron scepter had come.
The first advent shows us that God’s promises never fail. Every prophecy, every longing, every tear of Israel’s waiting found its “Yes” and “Amen” in Christ (2 Cor. 1:20). But Revelation reminds us that the story is not over. The second advent—the return of Christ—will be the finishing of that story. The same Jesus who came in weakness will return in power to crush evil fully and reign forever. Until then, the dragon still rages, waging war against “the rest of her offspring”—those who keep God’s commands and hold fast to their testimony about Jesus (Rev. 12:17). His greatest weapon is deception, speaking lies to dull our sense of victory and turn the miracle of the manger into a sentimental tale instead of the declaration of his defeat.
This Advent season, see the nativity through Revelation 12 eyes. The birth of Jesus was not just the beginning of a holiday—it was the beginning of the end for the powers of darkness. Christ’s first advent fulfilled every promise of God; His second will finish the story by restoring all things. So even as we live in the wilderness between those two comings, we do not wait as victims but as victors. The promise has already been fulfilled, and the victory has already been won. O come, O come, Emmanuel—and remind us that what began in a manger will end with glory on the clouds.
Study
- Luke 2:1-7
- Revelation 12:1-17
- Genesis 3:15
- Matthew 1:1
- Psalm 2:9
Pray
Lord God,
From the very beginning, You have been a God of promise. In the garden, when darkness first crept in, You spoke of a child who would crush the serpent’s head—and in Bethlehem, that promise took its first breath. Thank You for sending Jesus, the long-awaited Savior, the One who came to fulfill every word You spoke. Help us see the nativity not as a quiet decoration, but as the first victory cry in the battle for our souls.
As we read of the woman, the child, and the dragon in Revelation 12, remind us that this story is not distant—it is our story. We are part of Your people, still waiting, still hoping, still trusting that You will finish what You began. Give us the courage to stand firm as the dragon wages war through lies and fear. Let Your truth be louder than the enemy’s accusations. Remind us that his defeat was sealed the moment Jesus entered the world.
Jesus, You are the fulfillment of every promise and the finisher of every story. As we wait for Your return, teach us to live as people of victory—faithful, courageous, and full of hope. Let our lives bear witness to Your glory, even in the wilderness of waiting.
Come quickly, Lord Jesus. Complete what You began. Until that day, let us hold fast to Your promises, confident that the One who came to fulfill will come again to finish.
Amen.
Listen
- We Sing (Joy to the World) – Seph Schlueter, Leanna Crawford
- Holy – David Leonard
- Forever and Ever Amen – Maverick City Music
- Emmanuel God with Us – Chris Tomlin
- When Hope Came Down – Kari Jobe