by Desiree Bustamante

Waiting, waiting, waiting.

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All of this occurred to fulfill the Lord’s message through his prophet:
“Look! The virgin will conceive a child!
    She will give birth to a son,
and they will call him Immanuel,
    which means ‘God is with us.’”
Matthew 1:22-24 New Living Translation

Have you ever waited for something that took what seemed like forever to happen? How long did you have to wait? Hours, days, or years? How would it feel to wait hundreds of years for a promise to be kept?

God’s people, the Israelites, were excited about the promised Savior. But for centuries the Israelites suffered slavery, wars, exile and persecution. With each day’s struggles it became harder and harder to remember God’s vow to them, but Scripture showed them that God keeps His promises. Since they had no idea of the day when the Savior would come, they had to wait patiently and pray for His arrival.

We no longer must wait for this promise to be fulfilled. Jesus is born! God made the most special promise of all when He pledged to give the world His Son who would love us and bring salvation, forgiveness, and eternal life. He is Immanuel, “God with us.” We celebrate the fulfillment of that promise each Christmas and every day in our hearts.

Yet we still wait. We wait for our Savior’s return to gather His children together, taking us to the place he prepared for us long ago, a new kingdom where there will be no more tears, evil or waiting. We don’t know when that time will arrive, but we can trust, just as Israel did, that the promise will be fulfilled.

As you prepare your heart during Advent for the celebration of Jesus’ birth, reflect on the promises God fulfilled that assure you of His presence, peace and eternal life.

Copyright Holy Cross Lutheran Church, Colorado Springs, Colorado