12.1.17 // Expecting the Messiah: The Advent of Christ

It’s December 1! The Christmas season has officially commenced. Thanksgiving is over, and it’s time to put up our trees, finish (or start!) our Christmas shopping, and make plans for the activities of the season. We are now allowed to listen to Christmas music without being judged! BUT before we get wrapped up in all of the extra “stuff” that the season brings, let’s focus our minds and hearts on the true reason that Christmas is celebrated.

JESUS.

JESUS. Immanuel. God with us. God becoming man in the form of a humble baby.

JESUS. The name above all names. The wonderful counselor. The mighty God. The everlasting father. The prince of peace.

JESUS. The lamb that was slain. The unblemished, willing sacrifice. The compassionate Savior.

As cheesy and cliché as it sounds, Jesus is the reason for the Christmas season.

When I was growing up, our church always lit the advent candles each Christmas season as a reminder of the coming of Jesus. Each year, different children were selected to light one of the candles. It was an exciting thing to be chosen for this honor, although we didn’t quite understand the significance and beauty of the advent candles. I would anxiously await the year that I would have a turn to light a candle.

As we enter this Christmas season, expect Jesus to be present. Expect His presence in your life. Wait for it, seek it, and relish in it. Relish in each stage of the Christmas story. See it through the eyes of an eager child. As a child excitedly lighting the advent candle, wait in anxious anticipation and awe that Jesus came because the God of the universe loves YOU. Just as the Israelites were waiting with anxious anticipation for the Promised One, we, too, can expect the Messiah to come in new and fresh ways as we set our minds and hearts on Him. Do not let this Christmas season pass you by in a whirlwind of busy shopping, parties, and traditions. Rather, take time to rest in the fact that Jesus intentionally came to dwell among us so that we might have life eternally. Because of His sacrifice, there is forgiveness of sins, our sins, yours and mine. Because of His sacrifice, we no longer fear death. Because of His sacrifice, we can have hope in the midst of heartbreaking times. When we ponder the true meaning of Christmas, the commercial part of Christmas seems really trivial. This is not to say that the shopping, parties, and traditions are sinful; rather, they should not be central – Jesus should remain the focus. So, this Christmas season, ponder the Messiah. Wait in expectation as you relive the Christmas story. Become like a child in your faith as you anticipate Christ being present in your life this season, and every season. Expect the Messiah, and be blessed beyond measure and humbled to the point of worship at His coming!

I hope you’ll join me each day of December in this Christmas series, "Expecting the Messiah,” to be encouraged and challenged to dwell on Christ every minute of this Christmas season!

Merry Christmas!


Always, Jacquelyn

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Becoming Part 2: Our Heavenly Father’s Role

Last time, I encouraged you to read Psalm 139 and contemplate God’s love for you, so let’s start there! Personally, Psalm 139 is one of the most encouraging and comforting Psalms.  It is filled with promises about how God intricately and personally knows every single detail of our existence because He made us and planned for our entry into the world. How humbling and mind-blowing is it to come to the realization that the God of the universe – who created every tree and mountain and planet and galaxy and person who ever lived and ever will live – knows us each by name, knows how many hairs are on our head, knows every time we sit and rise, knows all of our faults and still loves us, and knows the details of our every hidden thought. Our great and powerful God loves us enough to be that personal with us. This Psalm adequately portrays the significance of the role God plays in shaping who we become. As I mentioned last time, He set our lives in motion...
Read more

"The Farmer IN the DELL" and Marriage

  So, I ’m sure you ’re wondering how “The Farmer in the Dell ” could possibly relate to marriage? It relates to my marriage, and I ’m guessing if your marriage is anything like mine at times, this tune could relate to yours as well! The other day, Patrick and I were having a conversation about the familiar children ’s song, “The Farmer IN the DELL ” . I was convinced that it was entitled “The Farmer AND the DELL ” . He was convinced it ’s proper title was “The Farmer IN the DALE ” . We were both sure that we were right. Always. I wonder if ours is the only marriage where both of us are right all of the time, even when we are giving completely different arguments (notice the BIG hint of sarcasm in this statement). Of course, our disagreement over this particular children ’s rhyme was all in good fun, even though we were both sure that the other person was wrong. I didn ’t even know what a “dell” or a “dale” was – but I did know that I was right! As it turns o...
Read more

Becoming Part 4: The Role of Our Personal Choices…Get Out of Bed!

Psalm 40:8 – “I delight to do Your will, O my God; Your law is within my heart.” Oh, that every choice we made showed evidence of this verse within our hearts!   If you are anything like me, this verse may not be indicator of every personal choice we make from day to day.   Some days, my heart is completely (or almost completely) in tune with the Lord, and I really do delight to do His will. Those are the days that I am not angry when the alarm clock sounds because I desire to be in the Word in the early morning hours. Those are the days that my heart is inclined to pray for my husband if my feelings are hurt rather than “give him what he deserves” … .(as if that is my place or my judgment call anyways!) Then, there are other days where the last thing I want to do is His will. I want to do my “own thing”. I want to be lazy and sleep a few extra minutes instead of spend time in God’s Word. I want to say that cutting, critical remark to my husband instead of holding my t...
Read more