Wondering, Watching, and Waiting

We are in the season of Advent and Christmas is a few days away. Advent is a time of expectation where once again we wait for the first coming of the Lord as a baby born in Bethlehem. If we think about it, Advent is not just something that occurs every December but it is pervasive throughout the Bible. The overriding theme of Advent is wondering, watching, and waiting. Some Biblical examples highlight this theme. The Lord made a covenant with Abram in Genesis 15 that his descendants would one day be as numerous as the stars in the sky. Abram must have wondered what God was talking about but we are told that, "Abram believed the Lord, and He credited to him as righteousness." (Genesis 15:6) After Abram, whom God renamed Abraham (Genesis 17) was visited by three men near the great trees of Mamre he and his wife Sarah were told they would give birth to a son the following year. Sarah was so skeptical given their advanced ages that she laughed. (Genesis 18) However, Abraham and Sarah watched and waited for God's promise to be fulfilled. (Genesis 21) 

Expectations Fulfilled

Joseph wondered about the dreams God had given him indicating he would one day be a great ruler, even over his own family. (Genesis 37) Over the course of 13 years, he watched and waited for his dreams to become a reality despite many situations and circumstances that seemed to work against him. (Genesis 39-45) The book of Exodus chronicles how the Israelites wondered where God was in the midst of their oppression and suffering under Egypt's Pharaoh. They had been watching and waiting for over 400 years for a deliverer to set them free from their slavery. Their deliverer did come when God called Moses to go to Egypt to set the people free. (Genesis 3) The Advent theme of wondering, watching, and waiting finds its ultimate fulfillment in the birth of Christ. As Isaiah declares, "The people walking in darkness (wondering, watching, waiting) have seen a great light; on those living in a land of deep darkness a light has dawned...For to us a child is born, to us 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." (Isaiah 9:2,6 italics mine) 

What's your Advent season?

I have recently entered a new season in pastoral ministry as I wonder, watch, and wait with expectation for what God is going to do in my personal "advent." What about you? Are you experiencing your own "advent" season of wondering, watching, and waiting? If so, expect great things to come as Immanuel (God with us) will bring it to pass just like He did thousands of years ago in Bethlehem and God is faithful!
Merry Christmas and A Blessed New Year!
Pastor Sheree