Advent Season

And we wait.  I was sharing with some students this morning that by this time last year, we had had three snow storms already.  Winter seems to be taking its time to arrive, and there are mixed emotions about this.  We are certainly enjoying the warm temperatures outside, but there is a longing for what is coming.  We have seen evidence of the seasons changing over, but winter just doesn't seem to arrive.  

That sense of anticipation and waiting is an important concept to teach to our children in the Advent season.  Much of our culture convinces us that waiting is not worth it.  Not having something NOW is unfortunate, and that we deserve immediate gratification.  The chosen nation of Israel waited so long for their Messiah.  In faith, they remained.. and often they got it wrong.  Scripture makes a point, it seems, at the fact that the Messiah's coming did not depend on whether Israel got it right, but that they were continually called back to faithfulness to God.  They were being prepared for the coming of a King.

In this season of 'already - not yet', in which we know Christ has come and paid our debt of sin, and that He will return to bring heaven to earth, we also wait.  We too, often get it wrong in our waiting, but are continually called back to faithfulness to God as we wait...

We wait for winter and the fun and excitement the snow will bring.  We wait for Christmas and the celebration we will enjoy.  We wait for justice and peace in a world struck with conflict.  We wait for Christ's return and the redemption of the world.  In our advent this season, and in the longing for Christ's return, we too are being prepared for the coming of the King!!  

Together, with David (Psalm 72:8)  we cry "May he rule from sea to sea and from the River to the ends of the earth."  and with John from Revelation: "Come, Lord Jesus!"  Rev 22:20  Until then, we wait and strive to live as children of light.