After four weeks of longing and expectation, Christmas is almost here.
The Advent season teaches us to yearn… and wait… something most of us aren’t comfortable with.
But as we reflect on the promises of God throughout the ages, we can stand in solidarity with our brothers and sisters and know that our Heavenly Father will always finish what He starts.
Longing For More
In our culture, we are used to instant gratification.
2-day shipment used to be a luxury…
… and now some companies deliver within the same day or even the same hour.
Society teaches us if we want something, we should buy it – even if we can’t afford it.
It’s estimated 64 million Americans carry credit card debt with 340 million Americans in some form of debt in general.
But as we celebrate Advent – we are meant to stop – pause – and wait.
Generations of saints who have come before us had to wait on the promised Messiah.
God promised a Savior who would redeem the world and save the people from their sins – and Advent reminds us of the longing and yearning we feel while we wait.
Patience – The Fruit Of The Spirit
Patience is a fruit of the spirit that isn’t often talked about.
Generally speaking, we have become impatient people – we become frustrated having to wait in traffic or even wait in line at the grocery store.
But as we wait for Christmas, we can demonstrate patience and remember how patient God was, and still is, with us.
Remember before you were a Christian?
Think of the worst thing you’ve ever done and how your sin kept you separated from God.
At your darkest moment, God still loved you, and pursued you.
He was patient.
And His example should compel us to be patient as we await the celebration of Christmas and the birth of Jesus.
Desiring God reports:
“Patience is a fruit of God’s Spirit (Galatians 5:22). But though it is his work, we may seek out means whereby the Spirit of God can cultivate patience in our hearts.
As we observe Advent, God can grow patience in our hearts by demonstrating that God is patient, and not because he is slow (2 Peter 3:9). By remembering the longing for Christ’s first coming, we see God’s mercy. He did not rush into swift destruction of his enemies and triumph of his kingdom — glorious as that will be.
Every moment of God’s patience is an opportunity for repentance for those who would otherwise be destroyed in his final coming (Romans 2:4). During Advent we behold the patience of Jesus, and by beholding him we are transformed more into his likeness by God’s Spirit (2 Corinthians 3:18).”
Jesus is coming soon.
And although our definition of “soon” is different than God’s – Advent reminds us to remember His faithfulness through the ages.
The same God of the Bible is the same God we worship today!
So as Advent comes to a close – take a moment and praise God for His faithfulness to fulfill all He promised.
And slow down to embrace the miracle of Christ and reflect on the true meaning of Christmas.
What has Advent taught you this season?
You can post your answers to our Facebook page and join in the conversation with other believers from all around the world.
“For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life. For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but in order that the world might be saved through him.” – John 3:16-17
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