Simply Christmas: Waiting...

Why is "waiting" such a difficult thing to do?   We tend to hate waiting....whether it is sitting in the doctor's office, standing in line at the grocery check-out, or sitting at the red light.  Earlier this year we waited for our two new grandbabies to arrive.  We've been waiting for a new job since last May.  Now we are waiting to see if cancer treatments will help my brother. Waiting is hard.

During the season of Advent we remember how the world waited for a Savior.  We also remember that we are looking for Him to come again...not as a baby in a manager, but as our King, robed in power, majesty and great glory.  A true observer of Advent will have a sense of longing, expectation, and waiting.  In the early centuries Advent was a penitential season for the Church, similar to Lent. It represented a period of time to prepare one's heart for celebration.  

I believe that God often calls us to wait not because He is hesitant to bless us, but rather because we are blessed as we wait with longing and expectation to see the work He will do in our hearts.  "They that wait upon the Lord shall renew their strength.  They shall mount up with wings as eagles.  They shall run and not be weary.  They shall walk and not faint." (Isaiah 40:31)

Here's a 6th Century Advent Hymn that speaks of both the first and second coming of the Lord Jesus Christ.  

Hark! a thrilling voice is sounding.

"Christ is nigh." it seems to say;
"Cast away the works of darkness,
O ye children of the day."

Wakened by the solemn warning,

let the earth-bound soul arise;

Christ, her Sun, all sloth dispelling,

shines upon the morning skies.

Lo! the Lamb, so long expected,

comes with pardon down from heaven;

let us all, with tears of sorrow,

pray that we may be forgiven;

that when next he comes with glory,

and the world is wrapped in fear,

with his mercy he may shield us,

and with words of love draw near.

Honor, glory, might, and blessing

to the Father and the Son,

with the everlasting Spirit,

while eternal ages run.