At that time there was a man in Jerusalem named Simeon. He was righteous and devout and was eagerly waiting for the Messiah to come and rescue Israel. The Holy Spirit was upon him and had revealed to him that he would not die until he had seen the Lord’s Messiah. That day the Spirit led him to the Temple. So when Mary and Joseph came to present the baby Jesus to the Lord as the law required, Simeon was there. He took the child in his arms and praised God… Luke 2:25-28
We all know how impatiently children wait for Christmas. But God frequently asks us to wait. Often, when it seems that God is saying “no” to what we ask of him, he’s really saying “not just now” and we just have to wait for his good, perfect timing.
Every year, as we come into the Advent season, I’m reminded how long the people had to wait for God to fulfill that promise…and then how difficult it was for them to recognize it when it did occur.
Advent, like Lent, is not just a season, it’s a journey. We’ve been waiting. Now it’s about to occur. Just as we travel to Jerusalem and the cross during Lent, we travel to Bethlehem and the bestowing of the gift of all gifts, the fulfillment of the Promise, during Advent.
Instead of getting bogged down in all the preparations and decorating, in all the shopping and rushing, we should be preparing to welcome Him. We should be waiting in great anticipation for Him, and then rejoice that He has come.
When I was a child, my Bubbe (grandmother) and Uncle Paul (my mother’s older brother) were great fun to be around. Max Lucado, in his book When God Whispers Your Name, said “Be a child again. Flirt. Giggle. Dip your cookies in your milk. Take a nap. Say you’re sorry if you hurt someone. Chase a butterfly. Be a child again.” Well, that’s what Bubbe and Uncle Paul were like. Kids loved them because they knew how to be childlike. One day, when our house was filled with neighborhood children, as it often was, my mother announced that they were coming to visit. Several kids ran out shouting “Bubbe and Uncle Paul are coming! Bubbe and Uncle Paul are coming!” to let the other kids know. I stood there thinking, “Wait a minute…they’re MY Bubbe and Uncle Paul.” But that joy and excitement of all the neighborhood children, and their great anticipation and joy as they waited for them to arrive, has stayed with me.
I think that’s how we should go through Advent – filled with joy and excitement. Jesus is coming! Jesus is coming! We should be waiting with excited anticipation. It’s not about cooking, shopping, giving and receiving gifts. It’s about getting and cherishing the gift of all gifts, one that’s far too big to fit under a tree, but still so small it fits in our hearts.
Simeon saw the fulfillment of the Promise and was ready to die. We’ve received it and should be ready to live – to live our lives to the fullest. Jesus came to die on the cross, but He didn’t just come here to die. He came here to show us the way to our Father in heaven, to show us how we should live, how we were meant to be. Once we accept the Gift, and give our own heart in return, He enables us to be all that He intended us to be.
As you await Christmas, shout for joy “Jesus is coming!” and, as you gather with your family and friends to celebrate Christmas, remember that you are a part of His family, so invite Him in – after all, it is His birthday you’re celebrating. And then, be a kid again. After all, it’s a birthday party. Sing. Dance. Hug those you love. Be thankful for all you receive — from loved ones and from God, who loves you more than everyone else combined.
Gilbert K. Chesterton said, “When we were children we were grateful to those who filled our stockings at Christmas time. Why are we not grateful to God for filling our stockings with legs?” As you enjoy opening your Christmas stockings, or watching the children open theirs, pause to thank our Father, who fills our stockings with legs.
Have a joyous Christmas. Join the birthday party. Celebrate!
Prayer: Lord, as we get involved in all the “doings” to get ready for Christmas, please forgive us for all the times we forget why we celebrate. Enter into the celebration with us. And thank you for giving us the gift of all gifts, which is so much better than we can even begin to understand or fully appreciate. Thank you for your faithfulness and love. May we return to you our own faithfulness and love. Amen.
Emily Montfort
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