Advent: Waiting on God's PromisesSample

Waiting for the morning...

Do you remember Christmas Eve as a child? My family’s Christmas tradition was that presents would be opened Christmas morning after everyone was awake.

For a 6-year-old, going to bed Christmas Eve was full of nervous excitement and anticipation! Would I get the gift I had hoped for? Of course, Christmas Eve excitement usually resulted in a very early start on Christmas morning.

It always seemed to take forever for the rest of the family to drag themselves out of bed so the festivities could begin! Inevitably, one of us would take a leap and wake up our parents…our impatience knew no limits. We would even cajole them into the living room before they could even make themselves that first cup of coffee for the day. Such is the enthusiasm of a child on Christmas morning.

This Christmas Eve morning waiting puts in my mind the Song of Ascents in Psalms.

I wait for the Lord, my whole being waits,
and in his word, I put my hope.
I wait for the Lord
more than watchmen wait for the morning,
more than watchmen wait for the morning.

Israel, put your hope in the Lord,
for with the Lord is unfailing love
and with him is full redemption.

Psalm 130:5-7 NIV

As I remember my childhood enthusiasm, I am challenged in my heart about how I wait for the Lord. If I could be that excited about some long-forgotten toy that has no doubt been relegated to landfill, how can I not wait on the Lord with great hope and joy of what might come that will last eternally?

As we prepare for Christmas, take a moment to reflect on where you put your hope. Take some time to thank the Lord for the eternal hope that He has given us in Jesus.

Prayer

"Lord, as we celebrate this season of Jesus' birth, let us fill our hearts with joyful expectation. A child born in a manger became the fulfillment of long hoped for prophecies. Let us take time today to put our hope in your word, and the joy of what this season means, Amen."