Grace, On the Journey Together, Peace, Words of Endurance
Waiting Patiently For CHRISTmas
Wait patiently for the Lord.
Be brave and courageous.
Yes, wait patiently for the Lord.
PSALM 27:14 (NLT)
Every day, I look forward to receiving a devotional via email by Henri Nouwen. During the Advent season, he sends out a weekly thought of encouragement that corresponds with that week’s Advent theme. For the first Sunday of Advent he shared the above passage.
To follow this truth he added, “waiting is a dry desert between where we are and where we want to be. We don’t enjoy such a place, we want to move out of it and do something worthwhile.”
Henri’s thought caught my attention and it has been a great encouragement for me to intentionally remember this Christmas season. I don’t want Christmas to feel rushed or burdensome this year. I don’t want to let parties, shopping or anything else distract me from enjoying this Advent season for what it really is: A preparation for the coming of Jesus – the birth of the Christ child.
One of our family traditions for the past 31 years has been to gather the kids and trim the tree while listening to Amy Grant’s Tennessee Christmas album. Music really sets the stage and stirs our hearts to focus on the amazing celebration that is about to take place. This year we get to carry on that tradition with our grandkids.
This Christmas, I want to be patient; to wait expectantly and prepare for the remembrance of the birth of Christ. I want to remove all the distractions around us so that we can engage in this celebration and really soak in the True Meaning of Christmas. Like wise, I don’t want my grandkids to be forced into the hustle and bustle. This time of year is very special. We celebrate it for a reason and that reason is to receive the gift of Jesus Christ, the Son of God.
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.
Isaiah 9:6 (NLT)
On The Journey With You,
Dave Dravecky
