Advent Prepare Together - Christmas Eve

This new fifth question provides the "Final Act" to the story, transforming our current efforts from a temporary struggle into a journey toward a definitive home. If the Gospel story begins with our Creation and moves through the tragedy of our Capture to our climactic Rescue and our free Response, the ultimate question remains: Where is all this heading? The answer is found in the word Raised.

The story of the Bible does not end with us escaping the world; it ends with God returning to it. Our ultimate destiny is not to be disembodied spirits on a cloud, but to be raised in glorified bodies in a "new heaven and a new earth." God’s plan is the total restoration of everything that was "Captured" by sin and death. This is the final victory of the Rescuer—the moment where He truly makes "all things new" (Revelation 21:5).

In this life, we often live in "survival mode," just trying to get through the day's battles. But knowing where we are heading changes how we walk. We aren't just surviving; we are preparing for glory. Being Raised means that every scar we bear in our "Response" to God, every sacrifice we make for the Kingdom, and every tear we shed will be redeemed and transfigured. Our destiny is to share in the very life and joy of God forever, in a state of existence so magnificent that "no eye has seen, nor ear heard" what is in store for us (1 Corinthians 2:9).

Knowing where the story ends gives us an "unshakable hope" that anchors the soul. When we realize that our ultimate destiny is to be Raised, death loses its sting and life loses its futility. We no longer have to fear the "Captured" elements of this world—illness, loss, or aging—because we know they are not the final word. Our story ends in life, in light, and in the eternal embrace of the Father who “Created” us specifically to be with Him forever.

Christmas Eve Reflection Questions

1. When I feel overwhelmed by the brokenness of the world, how does the promise of being "Raised" change my perspective on today's struggles?

2. Does my daily "Response" look like the actions of someone who knows they are heading toward eternal glory, or am I living as if this life is all there is?

3. What is one area of my life that feels "dead" or beyond hope right now, and can I surrender it to the Rescuer, trusting that He has the power to raise it to new life?