ADVENT
Perspective and anticipation. This year Advent has new meaning. Every aspect of life has changed since Briella passed. Advent is the season of preparation before Christmas. As we prepare, we remember history’s longing, the anticipation, for a Messiah. Advent also looks ahead to the return of Christ when He will restore the earth to its original state and make all things right. It’s living between the already and the not yet…what a tension. Advent is a season of anticipation, preparation, and longing. This year my focus has been more on the return of Christ when He will wipe away every tear and we will be with Him in heaven. We will always have a longing, an anticipation, for things to be made right. I have had so many longings since Briella passed. All these longings will be fulfilled in heaven, oh what a glorious day that will be!
I remember when I was little. I was always so excited for Christmas morning that I couldn’t sleep the night before. I would keep waking up and go into my parents’ room and check to see if it was time to get up yet. My dad would grow tired of me waking him up and just let me crawl into bed with him. Here he could be with me and just tell me when it was time to get up. The anticipation kept me up. Oh, that I could have this type of anticipation for heaven. This year my anticipation is so much higher than it has ever been. The memory of crawling into bed beside my dad and being with him until it was time to celebrate is such a picture of Christ to me now. Christ is covering me with a blanket of comfort as I am with Him until He comes again in glorious splendor to make all things right. One verse of comfort for me has been Psalm 91:4, “He will cover you with his feathers, and under his wings you will find refuge; his faithfulness will be your shield and rampart.” God is like a blanket of comfort for me. He tells me, “Do not fear, for I have redeemed you; I have called you by your name; you are Mine! …So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.” (Isaiah 43:1 & Isaiah 41:10)
I see with new eyes this Advent. Eyes that watch for Jesus second coming when all will be made right. The famous Christmas carol Joy to the World was not written to celebrate Christmas, it was written to celebrate Christ’s second coming. I now understand the greater joy of Christ’s second coming that started when he came as a baby to live and then to die for me.
Last year I read Emmanuel by Ruth Chou Simons. On day 16 she writes…“Peace on earth…the peace we all say we want at Christmas, and year-round, is a gift that comes through trusting Jesus to provide what we cannot. True peace with God is the good news of the gospel, but continuing peace of mind—the peace that surpasses understanding—is the byproduct of trusting God through prayer and thanksgiving. When our hope is secure in Jesus, we can give thanks in any season.”
This year as I remember that my Savior came as a baby to save this world, I look forward to His coming again when He will make all things right. This year hope, peace and even joy have a new and deeper meaning.
“Whom have I in heaven but you? And earth has nothing I desire besides you. My flesh and my heart may fail, but God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever.”
Psalms 73:25-26 NIV