CELEBRATING ADVENT: Hope

EXPECTATION
From before time began God had a marvelous plan;

The Bible is the story of His revealed glory.

Long years of waiting, His people anticipating - 

The day that would come, bringing the birth of God's Son.
And we are waiting still, for God's plan to be fulfilled:
When we shall see our Saviour, Jesus Christ, in whom is our delight.
~ Darlene Koop, Dec. 3-2012 ~

The celebrations and preparations that surround us at this time every year often give me pause...even as much as I enjoy the lights and the decorations and just about everything else associated with this season, what we truly celebrate at Christmas has so much more significance!!

"But you, Bethlehem Ephrathah, though you are little among the thousands of Judah, yet out of you shall come forth to Me the One to be Ruler in Israel, whose goings forth are from of old, from everlasting." ~ Micah 5:2 ~

"Therefore the Lord Himself will give you a sign: Behold, the virgin shall conceive and bear a Son, and shall call His name Immanuel." ~ Isaiah 7:14 ~

We live in the time after Christ's birth, so those prophecies have already been fulfilled, but there is still a sense of expectancy and hopeful waiting. Why? Because Jesus Christ is coming again!

The birth of Jesus Christ was the catalyst for the greatest miracle of all -- the miracle of bringing sinful broken people into reconciliation and relationship with their Creator God. But the story doesn't end there...God's plan is not yet complete.

Jesus Christ is coming again, and just like His birth, no one knows when it will be except God the Father. This second coming is the reason for our hope -- that one day we will see Jesus, the King of Kings and Lord of Lords.

Let us not place our own expectations on when or how He will return, but simply wait and trust -- and let us give Him the honor and the worship He deserves. It is truly all about Him.

For the grace of God that brings salvation has appeared to all men, teaching us that, denying ungodliness and worldly lusts, we should live soberly, righteously and godly in the present age, looking for the blessed hope and glorious appearing of our great God and Savior, Jesus Christ, who gave Himself for us, that He might redeem us..." ~ Titus 2:11-14 ~