anticipation :)

in our culture of self-centered busyness these days, the meaning of advent is overshadowed-- whether you call yourself a Christian or not. as a season of expectant waiting in anticipation of the celebration of the coming of Christ, it should be what it is... but more. i am filled with joy as the Christmas music plays everywhere i go, experience the overwhelming stress of the long lists of gifts that i still have yet to purchase, and look forward to taking time off to spend the holidays with our beloved ones. but in the midst of all this preparation for Christmas, i often forget the weight of the most important reason why we celebrate it: Christ's first coming, but also the advent is also meant to be a time of preparation for His second coming.

tonight, as i was sitting in christmas eve service celebrating the last night of advent, this feeling of overwhelming sense of gratefulness filled my heart. as we closed out service singing silent night, i was really humbled as i tried to remember and imagine what this might may have been like 2000 years ago: Christ came into this world with such humble beginnings. away in a manager, because there was no room for him at the inn (Lk. 1:7). someone so important! but there was no room. there was no grand celebration.

i'm so thankful that Jesus came for me, for you, for us, so we can have this hope that we have, with the full assurance that our lives have already been purchased by Him on the cross in order that we may have the promises of an eternal life with Him.

My soul, wait silently for God alone, for my expectation is from Him.
He only is my rock and my salvation;
He is my defense, I shall not be moved.
In God is my salvation and my glory;
The rock and the strength of my refuge is in God.
Trust in Him at all times, you people; pour out your heart before Him;
God is a refuge for us.
-- Psalm 62:5-8 --

But if we hope for what we do not see, we eagerly wait for it with perseverance.

-- Romans 8:25 --

Happy Advent and Merry Christmas Eve!