We are currently in the season of Advent. For me, this meant traditions of lighting the candle at church, reading the story of Jesus’ birth and celebrating His coming. But after visiting with a friend, she shared a perspective about Advent I’d never connected with, until now.
Advent is a time of expectant waiting and preparation for both Jesus’ birth at Christmas and His return at the second coming. I had no idea the meaning of Advent was “expectant waiting.” To provide further context, expectant means hopeful, having or showing an excited feeling that something is about to happen, especially something pleasant and interesting.
A World Was Waiting
Knowing this, it’s clear to see how the definition of Advent accurately depicts how the whole world felt thousands of years ago. You see, the birth of Jesus was foretold in the Old Testament. Isaiah 7:14 NIV says, “Therefore the Lord himself will give you a sign: The virgin will conceive and give birth to a son, and will call him Immanuel.” His actual birth was shared in the New Testament which was years later. That means, from the time the world first heard of Jesus until His birth were hundreds of years.
They knew of His coming, but until it happened the whole world was waiting for one thing, Jesus to be born. Why were they so excited and interested in this baby? As John 3:16 NIV says, “For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.” The world had never heard of such a gift, so it makes sense why they were expectantly waiting for this child to arrive.
A World In Waiting
While we no longer wait for Jesus’ birth, we are still a world in waiting, for His return. “When He will wipe every tear from their eyes. There will be no more death or mourning or crying or pain, for the old order of things has passed away.” Revelation 21:4 NIV
Maybe you are thinking, that’s great, but how does that help me in my current wait? You have unanswered prayers or are waiting for a breakthrough. God delivered on His promises all those years ago and He’ll do the same for you today. Once we realize He’s truly what we’ve been waiting for, there are no limits to what God can do.
So much waiting revolves around Jesus. There is a reason for that friends. It means there is always a purpose when it comes to waiting. Jesus’ entire life is proof of that. He is the reason we can live in expectant waiting for the desires we have.
Waiting has been a part of the world from the very beginning. Waiting creates anticipation of what is to come. And as the story of Jesus’ birth goes, what the world was waiting for, was worth the wait.
What are you waiting for?
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Please share with someone you know who could use some encouragement in the wait.
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