Photo by Nick Fewings on Unsplash

Dear Advent People,

Are your lists together yet? Gifts you need to buy … gifts you want … things you need to do and places you need to go this month. There are parties and lunches and gift exchanges and specials and cards and letters and … and … and … it doesn’t end in this season of waiting and preparation for Christmas – this season the church calls “Advent.” All the hustle and bustle though can distract us from the event we’re actually waiting and preparing for – and it’s not December 25th. 

Advent is a season of patient waiting and preparation marked by hope based firmly on God’s promises to us. Hope-filled promises found in God’s Word. Our hope might be tenuous at times based on what we see around us. There’s no doubt that things look to be out of control … and it’s not just the stores, roads, and our jam-packed schedules. There’s also – rampant illness, conflict, violence, wars, and … and … and … the list seems to go on forever. But it won’t. Our hope is in the Lord (Psalm 130:5). Through His prophets, like Isaiah, God gives us hope – one day all this will end, “It shall come to pass in the latter days … He shall judge between the nations, and shall decide disputes for many peoples; and they shall beat their swords into plowshares, and their spears into pruning hooks; nation shall not lift up sword against nation, neither shall they learn war anymore.” (Isaiah 2:2,4)

We are Advent People, waiting in hope for His promises to be fulfilled. This fulfillment began when Jesus was born in Bethlehem 2000 years ago. When He lived with us. When He died for us. And when He rose from the dead. Now we wait in hope for His return to bring us home. As we wait, let’s focus on His promises. Let’s not get distracted by things of the world. Let us put this at the top of our list – “Spend time with God and let Him lead me through the distractions.”

                                                                        Waiting Hopefully,

                                                                        Pastor Jim