A season of expectant waiting: what in the world can that mean?
All of us are waiting for Christmas. That’s a given. And for the most of us that means waiting for presents to open from those who love us most: Grandpa and Grandma, aunts and uncles, Mom and Dad. But, what’s the best gift to get at Christmastime? (You can see where this is going.)
Besides all the toys and tinsel, the best of all possible gifts is knowing that God loves us so much He’d send His very own Son to be our Savior from every sin. That’s a gift that cannot be bested.
Advent is that season of the Christian Church calendar year in which we expectantly await the birth of the Babe of Bethlehem, God’s Gift to us at Christmastime.
Nonetheless we do try to minimize this blessing, belittle its importance, forget its value. After all there’s a whole lot of other stuff we want besides. (You fill in the blanks.)
As we look around at the chaos in the world, however, we can feel that things aren’t just right with ourselves nor with others. The news wires are replete with stories of people being harmed by friend and foe alike. It makes you afraid to go outside. It’s better just being at home alone.
The Season of Advent helps us put the issues of life in some proper perspective. God would have us wait expectantly for His gift of love to erase the hurt, comfort us in the face of calamity, give us direction in the affairs of life. His Word tells us that all will be made well for us in the end. Even the bad has a way of turning out for good. We are encouraged to look ahead to that time when the Son of God comes again in radiant glory to take us out of this vale of tears to His home in heaven.
In the meanwhile we are encouraged of God to be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God the heavenly Father forgives us in Christ Jesus the Lord. The Bible says we are to get rid of all bitterness towards others and instead be helpful to one another. We are encouraged to build up others, accepting them as they are. It says we are to be kind and considerate of those around us.
We ought to try it. I mean, that feels and sounds like expectant waiting for something different than the usual. It’s good for us to wait quietly, prayerfully, hopefully, cheerfully for the Lord and the good He has promised.
Noel D. Koss is Interim Minister at Star of the North Lutheran Church, 216 N Forest Drive, Kenai. Sunday School and Bible Class are at 9:30 a.m. and Morning Worship is at 11:00 a.m. every Sunday. All are welcome.
