24 Dec A Season of Waiting
Merry Christmas Eve! As we celebrate this last day before Christmas, I am reflecting on this season of Advent we are in. Advent is defined as a ‘time of expectant waiting and preparation for the celebration of Jesus‘.
This definition is so powerful. Not only does it remind us of the true meaning of Christmas and the time leading up to December 25th, but I think is applicable in so many other ways as well.
It seems that if we have this designated time to prepare for the celebration of Jesus on Christmas, that we should spend time expectantly waiting and preparing for all the other celebrations we are believing for.
I have written about the topic of waiting expectantly and preparing many times, but this season of Advent seems like such a beautiful reminder. When I think of what Advent means, I’m reminded of Romans 8:24-25, If we already have something, we don’t need to hope for it. But if we look forward to something we don’t yet have, we must wait patiently and confidently. The longer we wait for something, the more joyful our expectancy.
The other day I had a friend mention something regarding our waiting that I thought was so encouraging, “I can’t help but think of the hundreds and thousands of years that Israel waited for the Messiah. Since Genesis a Redeemer was promised and they waited and waited. Thinking Abraham was it, then Isaac, then Jacob, and David…let down after let down (that they set themselves up for). They must have been so tired of waiting and I’m sure doubt set in. Until, in the most unexpected way, God showed up…in a manger! At the perfect time, in the perfect way. And He still does that.”
Shouldn’t we prepare for what we are waiting for the same way we prepare during Advent? As we wait for Christmas day to arrive and we celebrate our Savior let’s not forget the amount of time those in Israel had to wait for the birth of Jesus. God cares about our wait just as much as He did theirs. Although the outcome (our babies) won’t be as important as the birth of Jesus, there is purpose in our wait as well. God is wanting to birth the miraculous out of our wait, just like He did with theirs.
Tiffany (A Touch of Grace)
Posted at 09:27h, 24 DecemberI never thought to look at waiting like that Caroline. I love what your friend said to you. Such a powerful message.
Merry Christmas to you and Colby!
Kim Adams Morgan
Posted at 10:45h, 24 Decemberyes, I fully believe this, Caroline. We are to pray and have faith that God is already working to answer our prayers. Merry Christmas to you.
Jessah
Posted at 11:36h, 24 DecemberA wonderful reminder of how you can reframe the time spent waiting. Merry Christmas, Caroline!
wynne
Posted at 14:11h, 24 Decemberthat is so good, so timely, and so true! merry christmas my friend!
Amanda
Posted at 16:40h, 24 DecemberThis was a beautiful that helped calm my heart tonight. Thank you.
ICWL week
Jennifer T.
Posted at 16:48h, 24 DecemberThis is so powerful! Such a good reminder when I so often get impatient! I hope that your Christmas is wonderful with your sweet family. Thank you for sharing this.
Em
Posted at 20:25h, 27 DecemberWow, i just love this. What a wise friend. Such true words and what a beautiful parallel.
Jaclyn
Posted at 14:30h, 28 DecemberI’m with everyone else above ^^^ —> GREAT point about Israel and it’s good to know those before us had the same waiting and growing pains as us!! 😀 So encouraging to know we’re just human!
Laura @ Making Baby Provence
Posted at 13:15h, 30 December“…let down after let down (that they set themselves up for).”
How true is that?! Such a beautiful entry as always, Caroline. You have such a beautiful, uplifting soul.
Jennifer | The Deliberate Mom
Posted at 12:14h, 15 JanuaryOh this is so lovely and uplifting! Yes, waiting… and knowing that the blessing of that baby is already yours.
Thanks so much for sharing and for linking this post up to the #SHINEbloghop!
Wishing you a lovely day.
xoxo