Lesson Fifty One
THE DAY WE HAVE WAITED FOR
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Memory Verse: John 14:3
Further Study: The Great Controversy, pp. 635-652; The Bible Story, vol. 10, pp. 167-204
When my youngest daughter was in kindergarten the school had recently set up a brand new computer lab. The kindergarten teacher wanted to take advantage of this for her students, but didn’t know one thing about computers. Since I had at least some expertise, I volunteered to teach them once a week. While it seemed an easy assignment there were lots of wiggles and distractions.
There were lots of wiggles and distractions.
On one particular day, it had snowed, but not enough to cancel school. It had, however, completely blanketed the woods across the street from the school. The computer lab had a large wall of windows that framed the leafless winter trees silhouetted against the snow. All of a sudden one of the children called out, “deer!” Pointing at the window there was a large antlered deer leaping through the woods parallel to the road. The class was completely disrupted as the students all streamed toward the windows despite the teacher and I trying to keep them in their seats. A scene I will never forget was a row of 15 kindergarteners, hands and noses pressed against the window watching the deer leap gracefully through the trees.
The Christian group Newsong released a song in the early 1990s called “Fingertips and Noses.” It tells the story of a schoolteacher in Kentucky who taught her students about Jesus’s soon return. Not completely understanding, the children leaped from their seats and ran to the window pressing their hands and noses looking for Jesus to come. Unable to calm them, they joyfully clapped their hands waiting for Jesus to come right then. “And if He said He’d come, He’s coming,” goes the chorus. “They can’t keep their windows clean . . .”
Christmas is just days away. If this December is like any other it will be filled with Christmas music, programs, shopping, and feasting. And somewhere in the midst of all this will be the Christmas Child—the story of Jesus’ first coming. It is good for us to be reminded of this amazing Gift of God for us. Because He lives, we can face tomorrow. But it seems we also sometimes need reminding of His Second Coming.
We sometimes need reminding of His Second Coming.
The song asks a question at the end: “Where will Jesus find us when He comes again? Will we be like little children waiting just for Him?” Let us spend our Christmas holiday focused on Jesus. Let us teach our children about His first coming, but every day of the coming year, focus on His Second Coming. Let’s spend 2025 with our fingertips and noses pressed against the glass.
Dirty windows are just what we need to be renewed.
Digging Deeper
The signs of Jesus’ coming are everywhere. The world has become more evil and there are more and more events that signal He will come soon. While this is the Christmas season, let’s mix it up a bit and not only read the Christmas story, but also consider His Second Coming. Read one of these scriptures each day this week.
- Sunday: Matthew 24:36-44
- Monday: Luke 21:25-28
- Tuesday: John 5:28-29
- Wednesday: 1 Thessalonians 4:16-17
- Thursday: Revelation 1:7
- Friday: Hebrews 9:27-28
- Sabbath: Matthew 24:26-31
Looking for more texts? Try: John 14:1-3, 1 Corinthians 15:51-52, 1 Thessalonians 5:1-3
Making it Real
While not a Christmas song, take some time to listen/watch this video of Newsong singing “Fingertips and Noses.” Perhaps make it a worship activity. Then talk with the family of the message in the song. Why should we be like the children looking excitedly out the window for Jesus?
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0pkITwt3pRE
Select one of the texts above (John 14:1-3 is a good one) to memorize. If you or your children have already memorized that one, choose another. One way to keep the Second Coming in focus is to store the promise of His coming in your heart and mind.
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Merle Poirier writes from Silver Spring, Maryland, where she works as the operation manager for Adventist Review and Adventist World magazines as well as the designer for KidsView, a magazine for 8-12-year-olds. She enjoys spending time with her family including being a grandmother to two active little boys, who greatly enjoy Starting With Jesus, and a granddaughter, who’s delighting everyone with her smiles. She is blessed to have all three living close by, continually bringing joy and delight.
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