Advent People
We wait for the blessed hope-the glorious appearing of our great God and Savior, Jesus Christ. Titus 2:13
What's the longest you've had to wait for something? Whether you are put on hold for twenty minutes when trying to make an important phone call or waiting for the birth of a baby in your family, for most of us, waiting is difficult.
In this season of the year, we are waiting to celebrate Jesus' birth. When I think about the years of silence, the time between the Old and New Testaments, as God's people waited for the Messiah, my waiting is put into perspective. God's timing is quite different from ours. The story of Jesus' birth gives us assurance and joy because even though the waiting lingered for decades, God sent His Son at just the right time to accomplish all God had planned.
We are also waiting for our Lord’s second coming. This is good news for believers because God has promised that sin and suffering will end and He will make everything new and whole at that time.
The Bible encourages us to live in wakeful hope as we look forward to the day when Christ will come again. And as we wait, we are invited to begin living already in the ways of heaven. We continue to love God and others by giving of ourselves. We give God praise, honor and worship. We give to others through acts of service, generosity and kindness.
Good and gracious God may our lives always bring praise and glory to You and our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. By the power of the Holy Spirit may we love You and our neighbors more while we wait to celebrate Jesus’ first coming and look forward to His second coming with eager anticipation. Amen.