Waiting for Jesus

Advent is the season where Christians wait for the birth of Jesus. We await the celebration of our Savior’s birth with all the fixings and trimmings of the modern Christmas season. 

When I was growing up with my brother and two sisters (pictured above), we experienced the waiting and anticipation most vividly at the top of our staircase on Christmas morning. We woke early, as most children do. We would wake our parents up, and then the waiting began. We had to wait for our dad to dress, shave, and put in his contact lenses - and he was so slow on Christmas morning! Our mom would go down and make coffee, and we eagerly inquired if she saw any sign of Santa having visited. Finally, when dad was ready, we went downstairs to see if Santa had come to our house. 

Waiting for Santa is similar to waiting for Jesus. As I grew up, I learned that the waiting is some of the best parts of the Christmas season. Once we got down the stairs, we celebrated the birth of Jesus by giving gifts like the Wise Men gave to Jesus. Christmas morning was the time we received presents, but more importantly our parents were 100% present with us. 

Reflect on God's Word: 

Luke 1:18 - 25 (VOICE) 

Because Zacharias doubts the angel’s promise that he and Elizabeth will have a son, they must wait patiently in unexpected ways for the good news to come to fulfillment. 

Take a Moment to Pray: 

Dear Lord, 

Help us to enjoy this season of waiting. Waiting for the greatest gift ever given-your son Jesus Christ. Allow us to put away the stress and frustration we sometimes feel as we try to get everything done. 

From "Help us to “Keep the Christ in Christmas and Be the Christ in Christmas.” (#BeChristThisChrismas) the Fat Pastor on Facebook.

Listen to the Carol 

Come, O Long Expected Jesus is a hymn by Charles Wesley that praises the coming of Jesus Christ and signals the beginning of Advent for countless Christians around the world. The hymn was written to help people remember Advent and Christmas as commemorating the Nativity of Jesus and preparing for the Second Coming. It also expresses the sigh of longing for the day when we are with Jesus in all of the fullness and glory He will bring. 

Recorded live by the Sunday 7pm Choir at St. Francis de Sales Church in Ajax, Ontario, Canada. Thanks for listening and God bless!