“All The Trappings”
- Expression refers to something that has all of the typical or traditional accessories, features, signs, symbols associated with something

In this series we're going to explore what a Christmas season "with all the trappings" includes in our culture.

What are the traps we fall into that are robbing us of the joy, meaning, and presence of God in this season?

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What did waiting look like when you were a kid vs. today?

In our culture speed is good and waiting is bad.
And then we come to Christmas.
Traditionally – Advent Season, 4 Sunday’s before Christmas – Season of waiting, preparation, anticipation

You ever think, "God sure does take his time"?
God chooses to make us wait.
Which means there must be something good in it.

A true Christmas experience, with all the trappings, should include some waiting, some slowing down, some preparing.

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SIMEON

LUKE 2:22-32

22 When the time came for the purification rites required by the Law of Moses, Joseph and Mary took him to Jerusalem to present him to the Lord 23 (as it is written in the Law of the Lord, “Every firstborn male is to be consecrated to the Lord”), 24 and to offer a sacrifice in keeping with what is said in the Law of the Lord: “a pair of doves or two young pigeons.”

25 Now there was a man in Jerusalem called Simeon, who was righteous and devout. He was waiting for the consolation of Israel, and the Holy Spirit was on him. 26 It had been revealed to him by the Holy Spirit that he would not die before he had seen the Lord’s Messiah. 27 Moved by the Spirit, he went into the temple courts. When the parents brought in the child Jesus to do for him what the custom of the Law required, 28 Simeon took him in his arms and praised God, saying:

29 “Sovereign Lord, as you have promised,
you may now dismiss your servant in peace.
30 For my eyes have seen your salvation,
31 which you have prepared in the sight of all nations:
32 a light for revelation to the Gentiles,
and the glory of your people Israel.”

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How are you doing at waiting?
Because we are all like Simeon.
Waiting, with a promise.

Jesus' teaching on waiting.
He could return at any moment. So live every moment prepared.
Which means Jesus calls us to a life of waiting.
Every Christian who has ever lived has spent their entire life waiting for Jesus.
And you just might too.

Romans 8:19, 23 – creation waits for sons and daughters of God to be revealed, we wait for adoption, for redemption of our bodies
Hebrews 10:13 – Jesus is waiting for his enemies to be made his footstool

How you doing at waiting?

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Christians are supposed to be good at waiting.
Fruit of the Spirit –> patience.
Doesn't meant trying really hard at being patient. It’s a fruit that naturally grows on us.

What prevents us from this fruit?
Answer: The lies we believe.
- Lies about control.
- Lies about God’s trustworthiness and timing.
- When you want to be in control, waiting is painful.
- When you don’t trust God’s timing, waiting is stressful.

Waiting means someone or something has control over you.
That’s why we hate it.

In order to be good at waiting, you must be fully surrendered.
Waiting patiently is surrender.
The fruit of the Spirit we call patience, is the result of surrender.
If you find you lack patience, you hate waiting, the problem isn’t that you just suck at waiting, the problem is that you’re not surrendered.

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Practice fostering trust and surrender.
1. Be where your feet are. What do you have for me in this moment?
2. Before you eat – so hungry, wait! - express gratitude – which will help you trust God.
3. Time of silence – 5, ten minutes -> Prayer of Simeon (Luke 2:29-32)