Week One – Hope

The people walking in darkness have seen a great light; on those living in the land of deep darkness, a light has dawned. (Isaiah 9:2 NIV)

No one, and we mean no one, likes to wait. Have you ever seen someone ask to wait longer to be seated at a restaurant, speak with a doctor, or check out at a store during peak holiday shopping?

Waiting heightens all our nerves. Time moves unthinkably slowly and the anticipation feels endless. The people of God lived in this same unsettling way for years before the birth of Christ.

God’s people waited through times both good and unimaginably bad. Flood and famine, war and wandering, slavery and suffering — they faced it all. Their lives were overwhelmed by darkness and loss. Many lost hope. They filled their time pursuing temporary passions and praising false gods. However, through the dark, others remained faithful. History’s earliest believers kept faith in the coming Savior and devoted themselves to his promises.

On that night in Bethlehem, the hope of all who believed was born. Jesus, the Word made flesh, held in himself the salvation of people past, present, and future. Into a fallen world, he entered, shining a light so bright it cast out all darkness.

Thankfully, waiting on God doesn’t look the same today as it did over 2,000 years ago. We know how the story ends. The Savior so many hoped for came down to Earth, died for all our sins, and now sits beside the Father in heaven. Through him, we have a relationship with our creator and fresh hope for a future when God will restore all.

What are you waiting for this Christmas? Is your heart heavy with anticipation for an answered prayer? Remember, a light has dawned. As we begin this Christmas journey and look forward to celebrating the birth of the Savior, do so with a hope that the darkness will not win. A light will break through.