Psalm 27:14
Wait patiently for the Lord.
Be brave and courageous.
Yes, wait patiently for the Lord.
Scripture quotations are taken from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright ©1996, 2004, 2007 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Inc., Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.
This is really a hard month for patience… especially if you are four! Timothy is told virtually every day that he has to wait on something… “We have to wait to open presents until Christmas Day”… “We have to wait for the parade to start”… “We have to wait seven more ‘sleeps’ for Santa to visit”… “We have to wait until Christmas to see what Santa brings us” (to which he replies, “But it IS Christmas!”)…you get the idea. We have tried to explain to Timothy and his two-year-old sister Zola that Christmas is Jesus’ birthday… that this is truly why we celebrate. We’ve looked at dozens of nativities and talked about Mary, Joseph and the baby Jesus. We have discussed the wise men and their gifts…the shepherds and the all-important-to-Timothy animals that they tend.
We took the children to our community Christmas parade, and they were both so excited by the lights, cars, trucks, floats, marching band, horses, and more. When the participants threw candy, Timothy’s little body literally shook all over with excitement! The wonder and awe in both of their faces was incredibly heartwarming. Everything about the night was magical for them. And when they came face-to-face with Santa Claus, Timothy stuck out his little hand and said, “Merry Christmas, Santa!” and then declared… “I have seen the real Santa!”
The children may not realize it, but they are already “waiting on the LORD!” Whether they are waiting patiently is questionable at any given moment, but they are waiting, nonetheless. Surely they are confident that Christmas Day will come… that we will celebrate the birth of Jesus (and open presents from Santa!). But what about those of us who are old enough to fully comprehend everything that happened some 2046 years ago? Do we fully operate in bravery, courage, and patience as we serve the LORD and wait on His return?
We should be able to understand the true meaning of Christmas…AND the earthly life of Jesus…His crucifixion and resurrection. We should be trembling with excitement at the thought meeting “the real Jesus” face-to-face for the first time. The idea of heaven should be as magical and invoke as much awe and wonderment in us as the Christmas lights, sights and sounds of a parade provided for countless children on a moonlit December night.
Even in our darkest, most despondent moment, we should be filled with hope that Jesus is waiting for us… that the best is yet to come! I know there are plenty of sad situations… grief-stricken people whose hearts are broken, those who will lose their jobs the end of this month (if they haven’t already), many who cannot pay bills – much less provide Christmas gifts and meals for their loved ones... people who are sick and battling serious illnesses and injuries…lonely folks…people separated from loved ones by military deployment other constraints. And these are legitimate concerns…plausible reasons to lose heart that God understands! But He also provides an answer…His gift of Jesus Christ! For this reason, we can be hopeful. We can be brave and courageous… and patiently wait for Him to come to us – both as a Rescuer in this earthly life, and as our ultimate Savior for all eternity.
I can be as impatient as a four-year-old at times…but I’ve experienced enough of God’s grace, mercy and blessings in my life already to know that He is worth the wait. The thought of seeing Him in person makes my heart flutter and almost causes me to tremble as much as little Timothy did… and I am more than hopeful that this will happen – in God’s timing. Can you say the same? Are you ready to operate in the hope and patience of Jesus…this season and always? Isn’t this a great day to begin?
©2013 Debbie Robus
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