Advent in Exile - Christmas Longing With IsaiahSample

Advent - I love this time of the year. It is a contemplation of the first coming of Jesus: the revelation of God’s character of love, his desire for sinners, and his amazing will that gave up the best to save the worst. It is a time that ushers in the era of Immanuel, where God comes to dwell in the very midst of his people. So beautiful! But it also a time to look forward with eager anticipation to his second coming, where the completion of the great eternal plan of God shall finally be realized. Sin and suffering shall be done away forever!

As we contemplate these, we are brought face to face with this truth: that Jesus suffering was apart of this plan. It wasn’t some afterthought or unfortunate side effect. It WAS the plan. And his reward, his satisfaction is borne from his anguish.

Jesus’ patient endurance through suffering brought about our salvation—from that humble start in the manger, through his years of faithful, preserving ministry and finally to the cross—His suffering, the will of God, his complete sacrifice, the desire of God.

As we rejoice in this, I wonder if we take to heart his example. How do we, as his children, inspired by his faithful love and perseverance, follow in his footsteps? How are we waiting patiently through our suffering, embracing it and continuing to work with endurance in these years on earth? One day they will be over.

And then this life shall be but a brief memory. And what shall we say? Shall we look back with sadness on all that we could have sacrificed so that others might come to know Christ? Or shall we look back and say that by the grace of God we laid ourselves down for his glory—shall we join in Christ’s satisfaction over souls that dwell with him in eternity, joyful in his presence forever?

As we think about our joy and hope of Jesus this Christmas season, as we thank him and rejoice in his mercy, do we also lay everything down to him—our ambitions for ourselves and our families, our time that we willingly give to so many other things, the talents God has bestowed, our resources, our hearts—that we may reflect his character of others-centered self-sacrifice?

"In Light of this Advent Season, what is your heart longing for?"

-Elizabeth Rogers Elizabeth