Advent Series: Waiting with Hope
by Steve Watkins
In this season of advent, we are called to wait expectantly. If you’re at all like me, waiting does not come easy. I try to be patient, and I know patience is an evidence of the fruit of the Spirit, but this is something I constantly work on. The wonderful thing about this season of Advent is that the “waiting” we are called to isn’t a “grind it out” kind of waiting. It’s more like we’re called to remember what it was like when we were little children, anticipating Christmas morning. This sort of waiting wasn’t a chore or a burden for me as a child. It was filled with anticipation and excitement! I still remember waking up before daylight on Christmas morning, trying to get mom and dad to go downstairs to see if Santa had come! In the NIV, Isaiah 9 says,
The people walking in darkness have seen a great light; on those living in the land of deep darkness a light has dawned. You have enlarged the nation and increased their joy... For to us a child is born, to us a son is given, and the government will be on his shoulders. And he will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. Of the greatness of his government and peace there will be no end.
This news was worthy of excitement and anticipation nearly 3,000 years ago and it is still worthy today! I love how confident Isaiah was as he wrote this prophecy - so confident that some translations of Scripture translate to present tense language, but most use past tense phrases, as if it had already happened. Yes, we live in uncertain times today. However, we have hope! Our hope and confidence are in our Messiah - Jesus Christ – today, just as it was for our ancestors thousands of years ago. We anticipate not only the coming Christmas celebration – but also the return of Christ! Let us be reminded of two things this advent season; 1) let’s look forward to Christmas morning with childlike anticipation, and 2) let’s wait confidently and expectantly on the return of Jesus. Come, Lord Jesus, Come!