God is The Promise
The story of the first Christmas isn't an after-thought that should be squeezed in between family gatherings and wrapping presents. It's a reminder that God's promises can come to us in the most unlikely packages.
Those kinds gifts are always worth the wait.
When God sent His Son, Jesus, to be born on this earth, walk in our shoes, and pay the penalty for our sins, He fulfilled a promise set in motion centuries before. What we find as we peer in the manger is hope, joy, peace, and love.
This gift to us also reminds us that God is with us during a long wait, and waiting is something the ancient Israelites knew all too well.
The Old Testament is filled with countless stories of God's children waiting for something.
They waited to enter the promised land.
They waited while in captivity in Babylon.
Daniel waited to be rescued from the Lion's Den.
Queen Esther waited until the right time to save the Jewish people.
God's children also waited countless years for the promised Messiah. The prophet Isaiah foretold the good news: " Nevertheless, that time of darkness and despair will not go on forever...The people who walk in darkness will see a great light. For those who live in a land of deep darkness a light will shine" (Isaiah 9: 1 and 2.) Then in verses 6 and 7, Isaiah details how the Messiah will bring hope, joy, peace, and love: "For a child is born to us, a son is given to us. The government will rest on his shoulders. And he will be called: Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. His government and its peace will never end."
Perhaps you are waiting today. What does that look like for you?
Are you waiting for a college acceptance letter? Are you praying to meet the man or woman of your dreams? Is their a nursery that sits empty as you wait for a baby? Are your kids rebelling? Do you face the loneliness of an empty nest and fritter away the time waiting for visitors? Maybe you're waiting for the doctor to call with test results and praying he mentions a clean bill of health.
No matter why or where you find yourself waiting, you can be assured you do not wait alone.
God always delivers on His promises because He is The Promise. He sent a Savior to deliver all people from their sins and to live a life here filled with hope, joy, peace, and love. The path we walk may curve off into unknown areas. We may feel lost. The terrain may become bumpy and we may find ourselves walking it alone.
Take heart, friend. Waiting always come to an end, and God's promises are always worth the wait.