I was reminded recently that this season in which we find ourselves on this December 11th is not Christmas. Christmas begins on December 25th and in some traditions goes until January 6th (thus the Twelve Days of Christmas). We find ourselves presently in advent… “a time of waiting for Jesus.”

Christian believers are advent people! We enter into Israel’s wait for the long-expected Jesus. Like the Magi, we watch the heavens for his glorious coming again. And we bow under the weight, not of Roman oppression, but of this sin-sick world and our own old natures which still dog us. We wait for release from this burden and for our perfecting.

While we wait, let us encourage each other that, like the ancient Jews, we don’t wait in vain. Pray for expectant and hope-filled hearts in this lengthy (2000+ years) advent season we find ourselves. “In the fullness of time” He will come!