WAITING

Christmas is a time for waiting.  For most of us, not our favorite thing.  But it's everywhere this season:

You wait for a parking spot at the crowded mall.
You wait in line at Target.
You wait with your kids to see Santa.  Sometimes that line has a sign that says:  'Wait time from this spot is ... 30 minutes.'

Wouldn't it be great if life came with some signs?

If you're a single woman, there could be a sign that read:  'Six months until you meet Prince Charming.'  That would be a great sign because that way you could get yourself prepared -- stop biting your nails -- quit chewing tobacco -- things like that.

'In three months, you'll have a job that brings significance to your life.'  People are waiting for that to happen.

'In two years you'll be a father.'  Plenty of people would love to see that sign in their life -- unless you're 58 years old, then maybe not so much.

'In six months, no more depression.'  That would mean the world to a lot of people.

The problem is, life doesn't come with signs and we don't like waiting very much.  Waiting reminds us we aren't in control.  But there's a faith that's produced in us when we wait.  Character is formed when we wait.

That's what's happening right now.  Advent.  Christmas is a season about waiting.  The word 'Advent' means 'arrival,' and waiting is always involved when we're excepting someone to arrive.

We're all waiting with anticipation right now to open gifts -- we're waiting for the relatives to show up in the driveway so we can get on with making memories -- sit around the table and eat and laugh and make memories.

It's happening right now.

Waiting reminds us we aren't in control.

They waited for Jesus to arrive, too.  He came the first time as a baby and ultimately He was nailed to a cross to die for our sins -- in our place -- as our substitute -- because He loved us.  Then He went away and sent the Holy Spirit and said, 'I'm coming back in awhile and when I do I'm going to make everything right.  There'll be no more disease, no more hurt, no more pain or loss.  I'm going to make things right again.'

We're waiting for that day.  That waiting is part of what we're excitedly reminded of this season.

Merry Christmas.

And be blessed.