Watching and Waiting
It's that time of the year again, when Christians are preparing for the celebration of Christ's birth.
A popular custom among many
Christians is Advent, a time of preparation leading up to
Christmas, and also symbolizing how we wait for Christ's Second
Coming.
This time of year especially
reflects life in general. We wait for God to work in our
lives-daily.
Anyone who's had a family member go
through an illness can understand this. We wait for news; good or
bad, what can be done, how financial needs will be met. We may not
know when anything will change, but we make preparations anyway.
This is very much like the
Christian life. As Christians, we wait for Christ to come again.
Since no one but the Father knows when this will occur (Matthew
24:36), we must always be ready.
Isaiah the prophet spoke of a
glorious new creation: "For, behold, I create new heavens and a
new earth: and the former shall not be remembered, nor come into
mind. But be ye glad and rejoice for ever in that which I create:
for, behold, I create Jerusalem a rejoicing, and her people a joy"
(Isaiah 65:17-25, KJV) What a blessing to live in the Lord's
Kingdom forever! Our joy will be like that of the Jews who
returned from the Babylonian exile (Psalm 126). If we heed the
prophets' message and look to Jesus, this promise is ours.
John the Baptist points the way to
the Messiah in the words of Isaiah: "I am only someone shouting in
the desert, "Get the road ready for the Lord!'" (John 1:23 CEV)
Regardless of whether or not we observe Advent or Christmas, we
need to prepare the way of the Lord. Let us look to the Lamb of
God who takes away the sin of the world at all times. (John 1:29)
How can Christians be ready for
Christ at all times? Consider Paul's letter to the Thessalonians
(1 Thess. 5:16-22). Be respectful of your leaders. Work to get
along with others. Gently admonish those who are wrong. Be
encouraging, helpful, and patient. Don't be hateful, but be kind
towards others. Rejoice and pray without ceasing. Don't turn away
the work of God's Spirit, and put everything to the test. Accept
what is good, and avoid evil. These are words we should live by:
year-round.
The peace of our Lord Jesus Christ
be with you all.
AJ Demers
Associate Director of New Prayer Requests, Altar Worker &
Director of Advertising