Advent is a season of waiting—for Santa Claus. For the Christ Child. For the presents under the tree. We know very well what we’re waiting for. But do we see the spiritual gifts that come with the waiting?
Wait for the Lord
Those who wait for the Lord shall renew their strength, they shall mount up with wings like eagles, they shall run and not be weary, they shall walk and not faint.—Isaiah 40:31
When my mom’s minister visited on what turned out to be her last day on earth, she asked him to read this Bible verse. At the time, I thought it was a curious choice. No longer. In her own way, Mom was preparing us, her four kids by her hospital bedside, for what was to come, showing us that waiting for the Lord is a source of strength.
Be Patient
Be patient, therefore, beloved, until the coming of the Lord. The farmer waits for the precious crop from the earth, being patient with it until it receives the early and late rains.—James 5:7
The word Advent is derived from the Latin for “to come.” Not only Christ’s coming that first Christmas at Bethlehem but also the promise that Christ will come again. In waiting, we celebrate past, present and future joy all at once.
Be Strong
Wait for the Lord; be strong, and let your heart take courage; wait for the Lord.—Psalm 27:14
Admittedly, the season of waiting can be the hardest part. “Oh, Lord, how long?” we might ask if we’ve been praying for a while. In the end, we discover that our prayers have been answered, often in ways that we would never have expected. Think of what extraordinary things the shepherds and wise men must have seen. Wonders beyond their wildest imaginings.
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