Have you seen the previews for the new movie Heaven is for Real?

The film is based on the NY Times bestseller of the same name by Todd Burpo.
It tells the story of Colton, Burpo’s 3 year old who had a near death experience.

I haven’t read the book.
But, I have been thinking of the promise of Jesus in John’s gospel.

Let not your hearts be troubled.
Believe in God; believe also in me.
In my Father’s house are many rooms.
If it were not so, I would have told you.
I go to prepare a place for you.
And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again
and will take you to myself, that where I am you may be also.
John 14:1-3

At Christmas we celebrate promises kept.
The arrival of Christ into the history of man just as God had promised.

Therefore the Lord himself will give you a sign.
Behold, the virgin shall conceive and bear a son, and shall call his name Immanuel.
Isaiah 7:14

As wonderful as it is, Christmas is just another in a very long list of promises God has made and kept.

When all the hustle and scurrying of our preparations and celebrations are over, we still have the best part of Christmas.
The son was given just as God promised
I think about that as I sort through the discarded paper and recycle the broken gift boxes.
Just as God promised the son was given.
I think about it a week later as I UNdecorate and store all the Christmas paraphernalia back in the big Rubbermaid containers.
God promised He’d give His son and He did just as He promised.

God doesn’t renege on His promises.
Jesus doesn’t lie.

If Jesus said He was returning to heaven to prepare a place for us, I’m willing to take Him at His word.
At Christmas I remember God’s promise fulfilled and it strengthens my faith in every other promise He’s made.
In John 14 He told us where He was going and what He’d be doing.
He also promised to come again for us.

He’s promised a forever body and a place where there will be no more tears.
We’ll finally be like Him, holy and without sin.
No more hunger or sorrow, no envy or greed, no sickness and death but only God’s glory and the blessing of constant friendship with Him and every other being there.
No in-group and castoffs, no haves and have-nots,
none on the outside looking in.
A river of life and a tree of life for the healing of the nations.

These sayings are faithful and true.
Revelation 22:6

Like a gift that was left under the tree, we still have a promise we haven’t yet received.
Wait for it in faith.