What Are You Waiting For?
Reflecting on Advent and Jesus Christ
As a kid, waiting until Christmas to open my gifts was hard. I'd sneak into my mother's closet to see if I could see what she bought me.
When it got close to Christmas—I would be on my best behavior to be exceptionally good and productive. I would literally become a better human being for a toy. As funny as it sounds, that's the impact of a good gift.
Occasionally, I would misbehave, and my mother would say, "I'm not getting you anything for Christmas," and I would cry. I would work hard to show her I changed and was deserving of something for Christmas. Although my behavior was only a portion of why my mother gifts, it motivated me to change. However, besides my behavior, my mother gave me gifts because she loved me, which was not contingent upon my behavior.
As I got older and became a Christian, I learned the true meaning of Christmas. I learned about Advent and how God's people were waiting for Jesus to be born. According to the dictionary, Advent means the arrival of a notable person, thing, or event. In the Christian context, it's waiting for Jesus. In the Old Testament—prophets would prophesy and talk about His coming. One of the major prophets was Isaiah. He said,
" For to us a child is born, 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. There will be no end because of the greatness of his government and peace. He will reign on David's throne and over his kingdom, establishing and upholding it with justice and righteousness from that time on and forever. The zeal of the Lord Almighty will accomplish this. "Isaiah 9:6-7 NIV
Imagine hearing this, and you must wait for it to happen. This prophecy was spoken hundreds of years before it actually happened. Many people heard it, and it didn't impact their behavior. Others heard it, and it influenced their behavior. It gave them hope and motivation to live peaceably.
In the New Testament, there is a story about a lady named Anna who prophesied about Jesus coming many years after Isaiah. She lived in the Temple and spent her life worshiping, praying, and fasting until Jesus was born. When Jesus was born, she saw him and felt joy. The Bible says,
" There was also a prophet, Anna, the daughter of Penuel, of the tribe of Asher. She was very old; she had lived with her husband seven years after her marriage and then was a widow until she was eighty-four. She never left the Temple but worshiped night and day, fasting and praying. Coming up to them at that very moment, she thanked God and spoke about the child to all, looking forward to Jerusalem's redemption. "
Luke 2:36-38 NIV
Reading stories like this in the Bible reminds me of the gift of Christ's birth, and now we await his return. My question to those reading this is— what are you waiting for? Are you waiting only for your earthly desires?
While it is great to want a good job, promotion, new car, marriage, children, or whatever you are waiting for, how has what you're waiting for distracted you from Jesus? Have what you've been waiting for distracted you from the more excellent gift?
Fixing our hearts on Jesus should influence how we behave. We should be worshipping, praying, and fasting like the prophet. We should be loving ourselves, our neighbors, and even our enemies. We should witness to a falling world about his goodness and how they should trust Him.
Jesus is coming back.
The Bible says,
" So Christ was sacrificed once to take away the sins of many; and he will appear a second time, not to bear sin, but to bring salvation to those waiting for him. " Hebrews 9:28 NIV
We should be a people eagerly waiting for Jesus to return, and our behavior should reflect the gift coming to us. His coming is not contingent upon our behavior, but his love and his love should influence our conduct. So, even if you don't get that promotion or house, you have a gift coming that will surpass all your earthly desires. I am not saying temporal blessings are wrong, but our reunion with Jesus Christ will be a more incredible blessing.