Hope In The Waiting

We are less than 2 weeks away from Christmas. I love Christmas. I love giving gifts. I love getting gifts. I love shopping for gifts. I love the feeling of nostalgia surrounding Christmas. I can hardly wait until Christmas. There is a sense of anticipation.

One Christmas tradition celebrated by many people is Advent. Advent is all about the anticipation of the arrival of Christ. While Christmas is the celebration of the birth of Christ, Advent observes the gift of waiting. Waiting with anticipation.

Before Christ, a Messiah was promised. People waited.

Before Christ, a Savior was needed. People waited.

For 400 years before Christ, God was silent. People waited

At times hope was lost. I’m sure people doubted. God’s chosen people waited for God to come through.

But Advent is this thought, this belief that we can have hope in the waiting. Maybe that is what you need today.

Thirteen days before Christmas in 2012, and you’ve been waiting:

• Waiting for your husband to come home
• Waiting for your wife to forgive you
• Waiting for your spouse to stop drinking
• Waiting for a clean bill of health
• Waiting for financial stability
• Waiting for that promotion
• Waiting to not feel depressed
• Waiting for the pregnancy test to be positive
• Waiting for your relationship with your parents to improve
• Waiting for hope

Advent. A Savior is coming. He will not delay forever.

Hang in there. Hold on to the hope of Christmas. Live in the anticipation of Advent.

Christmas can be found as you wait.