Advent Begins

It shall come to pass in the latter days that the mountain of the house of the LORD shall be established as the highest of the mountains, and shall be lifted up above the hills; and all the nations shall flow to it, and many peoples shall come, and say: “Come, let us go up to the mountain of the LORD, to the house of the God of Jacob, that he may teach us his ways and that we may walk in his paths.” For out of Zion shall go the law, and the word of the LORD from Jerusalem. He shall judge between the nations, and shall decide disputes for many peoples; and they shall beat their swords into plowshares, and their spears into pruning hooks; nation shall not lift up sword against nation, neither shall they learn war anymore.

O house of Jacob, come, let us walk in the light of the LORD. (Isaiah 2:1-5 ESV)

I don't come from a very liturgical church, but I love liturgy. So this year, I'd like to acknowledge Advent, a season of expectant waiting and preparation for the celebration of the Nativity of Jesus at Christmas. Some Christians believe Advent serves as a reminder both of the original waiting that was done by the Hebrews for the birth of their Messiah, as well as the waiting of Christians for Christ's return today.

If there is any spiritual gift I'd like to have, it's "expectant waiting." If I were more of an expectant waiter, I would make a much better prefield missionary!

There is another word for expectant waiting. Hope. May the hope of the Christmas season never cease to shine in your life.