There are so many things we “wait” on this time of year. We wait to see friends and family. We wait for packages to arrive. Just a few more days until the Christmas Concert or the party, we say. And we wait.
It’s so hard for little kids to wait. If they have a present for you they want you to open it the minute its wrapped. If you have a present for them the same reaction holds true. “Can I open it now?”
There’s real joy associated with anticipation or waiting. I remember when Dave and I were dating. It was a long distance relationship with him living in southern California and me in Arizona. I would get so excited the days before his visits. I couldn’t wait to see him!
It’s the same type of anticipation and excitement that an expectant mother feels waiting for the arrival of their child.
Another word for anticipation is hope. What a wonderful thing it is to live with hope.
“I would have been without hope if I had not believed that I would see the loving-kindness of the Lord in the land of the living. 14 Wait for the Lord. Be strong. Let your heart be strong. Yes, wait for the Lord.” Psalm 27:13-14 NLV
King David tells us that waiting on the Lord will strengthen us and fill us with hope. Isn’t that what Christmas is all about? Hope.
God sent His Son to earth to bring us hope. His gift of love gives us hope for our future.
“And Isaiah says, ‘Someone will come from Jesse’s family. He will come to rule over the nations, and they will put their hope in him.’ 13 I pray that the God who gives hope will fill you with much joy and peace as you trust in him. Then you will have more and more hope, and it will flow out of you by the power of the Holy Spirit.” Romans 15:12-13 ERV
I’m not sure what you are hoping for. What is your heart anticipating?
When we put our hope in God we will never be disappointed. Our hope in God is like an anchor for our souls.
“I will bless you with a future filled with hope—a future of success, not of suffering. 12 You will turn back to me and ask for help, and I will answer your prayers.” Jeremiah 29:11-12 CEV
It was this message of hope, hope in Christ the Savior, that Charles Wesley was expressing when he wrote this Christmas hymn in 1744.
1. Come, thou long expected Jesus,
born to set thy people free;
from our fears and sins release us,
let us find our rest in thee.
Israel’s strength and consolation,
hope of all the earth thou art;
dear desire of every nation,
joy of every longing heart.
2. Born thy people to deliver,
born a child and yet a King,
born to reign in us forever,
now thy gracious kingdom bring.
By thine own eternal spirit
rule in all our hearts alone;
by thine all sufficient merit,
raise us to thy glorious throne.
Lord Jesus, hope of all the earth, fill our hearts with Your joy today and always!