Waiting

Zechariah and Elizabeth waited to get pregnant, then they waited for the birth, then they waited for John to grow up to fulfill the calling God had on his life. Mary and Joseph waited for Jesus' birth. Simeon waited so many years to see the Messiah, to see the promise fulfilled. All of Isreal waited for the coming of the Messiah. Mary and Joseph waited for Jesus to grow up, treasuring and pondering in their hearts the words spoken about him, they waited as he learned the family trade and lived 30 years before they could even begin to understand the mysteries of his birth.

Waiting. We're all waiting on something, trusting God's timing that just as he did with the birth and life and death of his Son, he will bring all things at their proper time. I have to say, I'm not the biggest fan of waiting, of putting the Chrismtas holiday (and school break) right smack in the middle of international schools job hunting season. The stockings are hung by the chimney with care, just as the applications have all been sent out with a prayer. Waiting.

One of my favorite songs of all time is 'O Come O Come Emmanuel'. One of my favorite lines is "Rejoice, rejoice, Emmanuel shall come to thee, O Isreal" reminding me that we are to rejoice in the waiting, rejoice in knowing that Emmanuel will come again, rejoice knowing that our Savior lives and our God is faithful. Rejoice not inspite of the waiting, but because of the waiting. Answers will come at the proper time, and Christ will come again, just as it was promised.