Ancient of Days

Here's a phrase I have heard many times over, but given little thought to the meaning or significance. Until today. I'm pondering it because in today's devotion, it says:

The person—not the body, but the essential personhood of Jesus—existed before he was born as man. His birth was not a coming into being of a new person, but a coming into the world of an infinitely old person.

Moreover, the text points out that Jesus, though born unto this world, was not a creation, but rather an incarnation. Interestingly, in Scripture, "Ancient of Days" is found  but just three times. All of them in prophetic passages and in the book of Daniel. Daniel 7:22 refers specifically to Jesus,  whose judgment will be part of the end-times events. I find it interesting that today's devotion spurred this on 12/21/2012, which many believe will be the end of the world. “Ancient of days” in Daniel 7:13 refers to God the Father, and we see Him on His throne as Jesus, the “Son of Man” approaches the throne on clouds. In Daniel 7:22, “Ancient of Days” refers to Jesus Christ and and to God the Father. But in the prophetic sense, it clearly refers to Jesus, the Ancient of Days returning to pronounce judgment on the world.

As I looked, thrones were placed, and the Ancient of Days took his seat; his clothing was white as snow, and the hair of his head like pure wool; his throne was fiery flames;  its wheels were burning fire. ~ Daniel 7:9 I saw in the night visions, and behold, with the clouds of heaven there came one like a son of man, and he came to the Ancient of Days  and was presented before him. ~ Daniel 7:13 until the Ancient of Days came, and judgment was given for the saints of the Most High, and the time came when the saints possessed the kingdom. ~ Daniel 7:22

See also: GotQuestions.org - What does it mean that God is Ancient of Days?