The world waits. Advent. In the weeks leading up to Christmas, the world waits eagerly. Something shifts when Christmas is in the air. People tend to be less self-focused and look outward. Masses of people spend time seeking the perfect gifts for the people they love, cooking other people’s favorite dishes, and even giving more to needy strangers though food banks and shelters. A spirit of generosity becomes pervasive. Kindness is more evident. Joy emerges and grumps become less grumpy. Even as a certain amount of stress hovers over the demands of the season, Christmas generally changes people in a good way. A happy anticipation covers families all over the world.
Christmas can be a difficult time. For some, Christmas is not a happy time, because Christmases past did not meet their expectations. Everyone seems to acknowledge and expect something special from Christmas. When hopes are dashed, when people disappoint, scars are left. When people we love are missing, the void is more noticeable at Christmastime.
The world waited for the first Christmas, though it didn’t quite know what it was waiting for. For centuries, a happy anticipation hovered. The Messiah would come. Those watching for Him envisioned a conquering hero who would end all oppression. They looked for someone to provide an unending supply of whatever they needed. They waited for a king to rule in peace and harmony. He would explain all mysteries.
He came, but not in the way they expected. No one expected a baby, born in a humble setting. No one expected a servant. No one expected a Savior who would die on a cross to defeat all the world’s wrongs.
But that is how He came, and when He did, something shifted. The world changed. Each successive Christmas carries with it a spirit of hope, because He has promised to return. Even those who don’t know or believe in the Savior, Jesus, inadvertently still celebrate His birth and get caught up in the wonder of Christmas. Much of the world’s bustling busy-ness pauses for a day, to acknowledge something is different about Christmas. Jesus’ life stands at the center of history. Our calendar affirms His significance. Time is measured relative to before and after His time on earth.
He will return. When He does, He will set everything right. He will return as the conquering King. He will destroy sin and evil. Death and sorrow will disappear. Every knee will bow.
We don’t know exactly how He will return, or when. He will undoubtedly come in a way that no one expects. But He will come. Advent. The world is waiting.
Those who know Him wait in happy anticipation. When He comes, He will more than fulfill the grandest of expectations.
Then everyone will see the Son of Man coming on a cloud with power and great glory. Luke 21:27 NLT
What are your thoughts? Please leave a comment below.
Blessings,
Phyllis
Image by Anja from Pixabay
Copyright 2023 Phyllis L. Farringer
Phyllis, thank you for a beautiful & expectant message. It was realistic as well. So many people are hurting this Christmas. Yet at unexpected moments one can experience the Lord’s nearness through the Holy Spirit. It can be very personal. The great powerful mystery is the close of the age when Christ will return.
Thank you, Charlotte. The certainty of His return gives us hope in the now.
Thank you for your thoughts, Phyllis. 🙂
Thanks for stopping by, Joni.