Tag: advent

Come Thou Long Expected Jesus

You might recognize the title above from a popular Christmas carol. It was written in 1744 by Charles Wesley and it has become one of my favorite “new ” Contemporary Christian Christmas songs, with its updated version of this classic. It has made me think about what I expected for this Christmas season and what I am thinking about. To be honest I can get caught up in all the present buying, cookie baking and family get together plannings, that I find myself not really thinking about Jesus.

Oh, to be sure, I sing the carols of the baby in the manger, but even when singing, my mind wanders around a bit. What I need is time away from the Christmas rush to just sit down and be quiet with Jesus. To stop the business of the season and just meditate on God’s Word and pray.

I have learned in this past year especially, that what I expect and what actually happens are two very different things. I can plan all I want and believe so strongly that I know the future and what it holds, only to be shown wrong, time and time again. Expectations are not wrong to have and planning is always needed, but I have learned that my plans and expectations are not always what God has in mind.

I am reminded of this as I sing the carol above, the people both and Jesus’ time and in the time Charles Wesley wrote the song(and our time as well) were/are expectantly waiting for the Messiah entrance into the world. Prophets had spoken of the virgin birth, yet when it happened in a small stable in Bethlehem , God needed to send His angels to announce it to the shepherds. Except for the astronomers from the east who had studied the signs in the stars, no one was expecting the King to come in the manner He did.

I believe some day the same thing will happen with Jesus’ promised return. We THINK we know how it should all happen, we read the Bible, we know what it says, but it will be probably slightly different than our own interpretation. We know who we are expecting, but God only knows the time and the how. One thing we can be sure it will come surprisingly, when not expected- like a thief- In our modern era we can attempt to prevent a thief from breaking in, but we still do not know the when.

But, just as Charles Wesley wrote, Jesus is long expected. emphasis on the word long. We are waiting, expecting, hoping and trusting for this event. But, are we really ready for what might actually happen? I pray that you will find time in the busy season before Christmas to stop and meditate on Jesus, our long expected Savior, – God Bless You- Nancy

Merry Christmas!

Expectation

So, what are you expecting this Christmas? Presents? A family get together? Traveling? A candlelight Christmas service with carols? Hope for a year that has seemed hopeless? Joy? We all have our expectations of what Christmas might bring. The problem is with any expectation, it doesn’t always happen as we want. Reality is different from expectation.

This advent season, I was planning on focusing more on my own heart. I was also expecting to get through this Christmas without grieving my mom as much. In the past it has been really hard for me to feel much like celebrating Christmas. It has been eight years now since my mom died on Christmas morning. Over the years it has gotten easier as I processed through my grief. But, when Christmas time comes around; I struggle. At first, I cried every time I saw the Christmas cards in the store rack labeled “For Mom on Christmas” But, it does get easier every year.

Until… that one thing that brings it all back. The pain and sadness that she is not here with me this Christmas.

Yesterday was that moment as I unpacked some Christmas decorations. There was this small house that lights up from a small bulb inside. It had been my mom’s. But, more than that, she had gotten it from her best friend as a gift. I thought about both my mom and her friend who were both gone now. Before I knew it, the tears were flowing down, unexpected. I had been doing so well this year. What happened? How can I shut off the grief I feel every year at Christmas?

Maybe this will be a part of my preparing my heart for Christmas. It is still tender and need of healing. A soft heart can hear from God.

As you prepare for this season, be mindful of those who might be grieving and validate their feelings. And look past the busyness of the season and ask God if there is something He is working on within your heart. Christmas is so much more than a baby in a manger. It is about a Savior. It is about the expected Messiah who came in a very unexpected way to accomplish what only He could in a very unexpected way. -God Bless, Nancy