The “expectant waiting” of Advent is almost over. Like the ancient believers from scripture who ached in longing for their anticipated Messiah, the 4-week season of Advent compresses those feelings and emotions for us. As we march toward Christmas Eve and the celebration of the birth of Jesus on Christmas day, we experience similar emotions as those early believers.
Long before there were sleepless Christmas Eve nights with children anxiously waiting for what new gadget would be under the tree, there were centuries of anxious waiting by God’s people. They were looking, longing, hoping...waiting in faith for their promised King. The prophet Isaiah was one of those people and in Isaiah 9, he reveals his waiting heart and what this coming king will be like. He says:
Isaiah 9:6 NIV
6 For to us a child is born,
to us a son is given,
and the government will be on his shoulders.
And he will be called
Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God,
Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.
Today, we begin the four-week journey known as Advent that will culminate with our candlelight Christmas Eve Service. The next four weeks is also a journey toward the most commercialized holiday in the world. And…it’s this commercialization of Christmas that led us as a church to turn our hearts back toward the celebration of Advent.
