Life is full of waiting. Whether standing in line or holding in a phone queue, waiting wears on our nerves. We’re ready to move on to the next phase, thinking somehow it will be better. What if we flipped a time of waiting on its head into a period of expectation instead?
“But if we learn to think of it as anticipation, as learning, as growing, if we think of the time we spend waiting for the big things of life as an opportunity instead of a passing of time, what wonderful horizons open out!” – Anna Neagle
stage and film actress
Often, we think of ‘waiting’ in negative terms as a drudgery or an ordeal to bear. Whereas the word ‘expectation’ generates a feeling of anticipation and optimism. Whatever happened to ‘waiting expectantly’? Have we lost the patience to hold hope in our heart until the fulfillment of long-awaited promises?
The Hebrews were well aware of the prophecies promising a savior or messiah before the birth of Jesus. Over the centuries of waiting, they must have wondered, ‘did God forget His promise’? But in a way they least expected, Emmanuel, God with us, was born in a humble stable. Instead of coming to release them from Roman rule, Jesus came to free them from the sin that ruled their hearts. He came to do the same for you and me.
The season of Advent commemorates the beginning or arrival of something anticipated. We count up the days until Christmas in remembrance of Jesus’ birth. We prepare gifts for loved ones and share with those in need as we celebrate the best gift ever given to humankind. But for Christians, Advent reminds us that we’re still in a time of waiting. The fulfillment of the greatest promise is yet to come .
Before Jesus rose to Heaven, he promised his disciples he would return. Two thousand years later, modern day disciples continue their vigil, waiting expectantly for Jesus to break into reality at any moment. Every Advent moves us closer to the trumpet blast heralding his return. Until that moment, we patiently hope and pray as we keep on learning, loving and living in his grace.
Come, Lord Jesus, Come
The Lord himself will come down from heaven with a loud command, with the voice of the archangel, and the trumpet call of God. And those who have died believing in Christ will rise first. After that, we who are still alive will be gathered up with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air. And we will be with the Lord forever. So encourage each other with these words.
1 Thessalonians 4:16-18 NCV
