Advent is the anticipatory time when we prepare our hearts for the arrival of the Christ-child into our world which we celebrate on Christmas. It’s a busy time– full of errands and gatherings. It’s also special and sacred. Our worship services feel a bit more enriched as God’s people turn their attention to our coming and returning Savior.

We long for Jesus’s second return not unlike the Jewish people longed for and awaited for the Messiah. Isaiah 9: 6-7 is a familiar Messianic prophecy:

For to us a child is born,
to us a son is given;
and the government shall be upon his shoulder,
and his name shall be called
Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God,
Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.
7Of the increase of his government and of peace
there will be no end,
on the throne of David and over his kingdom,
to establish it and to uphold it
with justice and with righteousness
from this time forth and forevermore.

These words were spoken some 700 years before our Jesus was born. Roughly 25 generations waited on Prophet Isaiah’s words to be fulfilled and sadly some still wait, for they are unable to recognize Jesus for who He is “Emmanuel, God with us” . The anticipation must have been great. As it is today: Is it this year? This week? Perhaps, it’s 700 years more? It is not for us to know when Jesus will return.

However, we have the responsibility to prepare. We have the opportunity to accept Christ as our Messiah and to dedicate our lives to His teaching and lordship. And we can bring Jesus, our Emmanuel, wherever we go. “O, Come, O Come Emmanuel—come bless us here. Oh, Lord, we need you now.”

As we light the first candle of Advent, let’s open our hearts to the presence of God in our lives.

Father,
Prepare our hearts for the return of your Son. By Your grace may we welcome Him afresh or for the first time into our lives. Let this advent season be one of deep revelation of Your purposes for our church and our lives. May we live expectant lives and our actions and words reflect an urgency to share the story of our Messiah with all who wait for their Savior.
It’s in Jesus’ most holy name, we pray. Amen.