The first wee hours of Christmas morning have arrived.

The magical feel of a day that has long been expected taries no longer. In just a few more short hours my house will liven with the sounds of giggling voices as they anticipate a final revealment of packages wrapped under a tree. It won’t be long before I hear them squealing with delight as they are surrounded by the love and laughter that being with family can bring. I cannot say that I blame them…it is a day that I have longed for as well.

The waiting.

 It seems long and as if it will never arrive. Calendars and countdowns are dedicated to its coming and endless questions about the expected arrival are brought forth daily. Waiting, it is hard –especially when waiting for something so indescribably wonderful.

In this month of waiting, we have readied ourselves for its arrival. The singing, the movies, the crafts, the baking and the reading of books have continued to build our ever increasing anticipation. In all the moments of waiting, we have not wasted a breath. Our time of waiting, though feels long, is decidedly marked on a calendar and does not leave us in question about when we can expect its much welcomed presence. 

How must the waiting have felt for those of old in their long anticipated expectancy of their Messiah – their King. 

It was a promised moment that they knew was to come…but they did not know the wait. They did not have a specific day to mark and cling to, there was no specific set-in-stone day that they were resting all their hope in. Their hope, well their hope rested in a promise – in The Promise. 

Today, our celebration reminds us of the much anticipated arrival – the promised Rescuer, Jesus. Their waiting was long and, at times, it was hard…so very hard. But the arrival, it came ~ He came.

(And the angel said to them, “Fear not, for behold, I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people. For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord. And this will be a sign for you: you will find a baby wrapped in swaddling cloths and lying in a manger.” And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God and saying,“Glory to God in the highest,and on earth peace among those with whom he is pleased!” Luke 2:10-14)

Today, I can celebrate a promise fulfilled; Today I can celebrate and wait for a promise still to come. 

(Let not your hearts be troubled. Believe in God; believe also in me. In my Father’s house are many rooms. If it were not so, would I have told you that I go to prepare a place for you? And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and will take you to myself, that where I am you may be also. John 14:1-3)

Another anticipation; Another wait. 

Friends, today we celebrate the fulfillment of His long awaited and anticipted arrival. This celebrating, it should fill us with hope and it should fill us with excitement as we longingly await for the fulfillment of His promise to return—-to return for us. As we live in expectant anticipation, let us be preparing ourselves for that moment. Let us be so wrapped up in Him as we excitedly live out our days for that moment. Believers, let our wait for His return be as that of a child who longs for and celebrates every moment leading to Christmas morning.