At our Christmas chapel
on the last day of school our chaplain showed an awesome video to the
Christmas hymn "Come Thou Long Expected Jesus" and through an
artist's canvas showed the long wait of God's people for the promised messiah,
Jesus. (You can watch the awesome video at this link)As I sit here on December 27th, still pregnant, and waiting for what seems like my long expected gift from above, I'm reminded of the centuries of waiting and longing that were fulfilled by the birth of Christ. I was struck by the song particularly because God's people were active in their waiting. I find myself folding and refolding baby clothes, moving the bottles of lotion and shampoo from one shelf only to move it back again to the other. I sit in the rocking chair thinking about rocking a baby and wondering what it will be like to hold him. I am actively waiting! All this makes me reflect on how expectant I am for the return of Jesus Christ. Am I waiting with as much anticipation for my Savior to return to take me home?
Everyone I meet knows that I'm expecting. If the belly is not a tip off I'm sure my
speech and actions reflect the imminent birth of our son. Do my actions daily demonstrate to others my
belief that Jesus became fully human while remaining fully God while here on
earth, that he died and rose again to save me from my sins? I cannot imagine my son dying for anyone
else. It's not fair and quite frankly a
bit insane. And at the same time I'm
overwhelmed with gratitude for the work Christ did not only for me but for my
son. I can't wait to share the best news
that Jesus Christ loved HIM enough to die for him.
As a Church (the Bride) we often stop here. We are grateful for the work Christ has done
but we forget the work he is DOING! The
word tells us that Christ is interceding on our behalf and awaiting the moment
when he will return to be reunited with us like a grandiose wedding
celebration.
Recently a friend told me that she was singing the song at
church "Because He Lives" and she was awed by the line "How
sweet it is to hold a newborn baby...and know he can face uncertain days
because HE lives." It is so true!
Because Christ LIVES we can have hope in uncertain times we can live
expectant because his promises are true.
Christmas is a time of joy not because of a wiggly baby but because of a
greater plan that is still in motion.
Let us each live with the hope of the promise that Christ's work is
enough and always will be enough. Let's
share with everyone we meet the joyous news that Christ was born, lived, died,
still lives and is returning!
Praise the Lord that he is coming back!
Amen.
