During this Advent season, we are to participate in the waiting and the coming of the birth of Jesus.

I think back to the first time I truly understood the weight of the waiting for Christ’s birth. Hundreds of years had gone by without a word from the Lord.

Hundreds of years!

Micah 5:2-4 –
“But you, Bethlehem Ephrathah, though you are small among the clans of Judah, out of you will come for me one who will be ruler over Israel, whose origins are from of old, from ancient times.” Therefore Israel will be abandoned until the time when she who is in labor bears a son, and the rest of his brothers return to join the Israelites. He will stand and shepherd his flock in the strength of the Lord, in the majesty of the name of the Lord his God. And they will live securely, for then his greatness will reach to the ends of the earth.

You cannot do anything about waiting…real life experience waiting.

A friend of mine just recently passed away from a long battle with cancer. My small group at church is where I met her. We started a new season a year ago. We had new members & so we went around the group & introduced ourselves. As part of her introduction, Maria did not tell is she had cancer. It was not until later when we were speaking about the past Sunday’s sermon did she mention it.

She spoke about the reality of not allowing yourself to feel what you are really feeling in the midst of difficult times. And this is the lesson I took to heart that day & will cherish into the future. She said, allow yourself to feel – anger, sadness, frustration – but then let it go! Be done with it.

Waiting can be so difficult sometimes. Do not repress the feelings you have in the midst, but don’t hold on to them either.

Waiting also be an exhilarating experience as well. I love the build up to an event or a trip, the anticipation of the fun and the adventure makes the actual event that much more fulfilling!

Like I anticipate a trip, a great concert, my favorite show beginning a new season, we, I, must anticipate Christmas & God’s presence in our lives.

Wait expectantly! Watch actively! Pursue the purpose, the hope & the joy Christ’s birth brings to your life! Feel it and then let it go out into world for others to pursue as well!