| Join me through December as I contemplate how Christmas can make a difference in my life. |
Whoever does not know the austere blessedness of waiting –that is, of hopefully doing without—will never experience the full blessings of fulfillment. ~Dietrich Bonhoeffer~
I would dare say that most of us in America don’t live a delayed gratification lifestyle. Not really. If you want something and don’t have money, charge it. You can take it home today. Are you in pain? Take a pill. Pain relief isn’t necessarily bad, but most of us no longer know how to endure patiently. Is life difficult? Find a way out. Can’t find a way out? There are plenty of addictions that seem to ease the pain- at least momentarily.
Most of us don’t even think about the possibility that what we want isn’t good for us. Our tendency is to “help God out.” In the Bible, Sarah tried this approach and sent her husband in to her handmaid and Ishmael was born. Not the one through whom the world would be blessed.
The Jews waited for the Messiah, but had so many expectations of what that would look like (according to their perceived need for an earthly deliverer) that they didn’t recognize Him when He showed up!
Celebrating the long awaited Messiah coming as a baby is Christmas. It’s waiting for what is best.
But, do I satiate the hunger of anticipation with so many activities and traditions that I miss His coming? Is the day gone before I can soak in the meaning of it and relish it?
And thank God for it?
It is in the hunger of our soul that we can
encounter the richness of God’s blessings.
What are you doing to make sure you don’t miss His coming at Christmas?
