Today we begin our step-by-step journey toward Christmas. Often we feel the snowball effect of one thing rolling into another as we try to survive the busyness of the season. One way to slow ourselves and provide a shift of focus is to participate in an Advent reading plan. This week’s focus and candle represent hope. The Birth of Jesus initiated hope for all. This hope had been in the works for a very long time.
Hope happened in His timing.
Have you ever stopped to reflect on what timing was necessary to deliver the Savior of the world to us? To fulfill all prophesies foretold of this event? God had set things in motion long before the day arrived. However, in His enduring way, He waited until the “fullness of time” to bring forth His son, our Savior. What did the fullness of time cultivate?
In the FULLNESS of Time…
LONGING—The silence of God had persisted for more than 400 years.
WAITING—Zachariah and Elizabeth had been praying and waiting for God to answer their desire of a child.
SEVRING—The casting of lots aligned the timing of Zachariah as a priest in the temple to fulfill his “once-in-a-lifetime” roll by entering in the holy place to offer prayers and incense.
HONORING—Joseph needed to choose Mary as his wife.
PREPARING—Mary’s heart was readied to be tender, submissive and obedient.
MOVING—The census needed to be taken.
In the fullness of time, a longing had been cultivated. The people of God were looking for the promised Messiah. God had said He would send Him, and He always kept His promises. But, the silence was unnerving. When would He come? The waiting seemed endless. They kept praying, hoping for it to be soon. They continued serving God in the temple as they always had, but His presence felt distant. They honored Him with their sacrifices and songs of praise. However, they longed for the days of their ancestors when God made His presence know through signs and wonders. They prepared for feasts, festivals and honored their traditions, but were their hearts prepared? They wanted a King, but needed a Savior. God had often asked them to be ready to move on His behalf, a call to action. Moving closer to God, drawing near, was what was necessary. This fullness of time cultivated hope through longing, waiting, serving, honoring, preparing and moving. This was bringing the much desired Messiah. Years spent hoping were about to end. Immanuel—God with us.
What are you longing for, waiting for, hoping for: the silence to end, a prayer to be answered, an opportunity to serve, to be the one chosen, your heart to be made ready, to see God move or to move you? Hope is hanging on with prayerful expectation. Hanging on is waiting and longing for the answers we need. Prayerful is serving and honoring the God who desires relationship and fellowship with us. Expectation is preparing and moving on faith and belief that He loves us and desires to show us great and mighty things He has yet to reveal. HOPE!
Remember—faith is assurance of things hoped for, a conviction of things not seen (Hebrews 11:1). Hope for something bigger than what you, yourself, are capable. God loves to show off His ability most when we are out of options to make it happen on our own. He is trustworthy, faithful and the safest place for us to secure our hope.
Hope expectantly for holy things to happen this Advent season. It will happen, all in His fullness of time.
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