Waiting is difficult for children, and sometimes for adults too. Advent reminds us that we must wait in faith.
Scripture Readings for today:
Psalm 5:1-3 (NIV)
1 Give ear to my words, O LORD, consider my sighing.
2 Listen to my cry for help, my King and my God, for to you I pray.
3 In the morning, O LORD, you hear my voice; in the morning I lay my requests before you and wait in expectation.
1 Give ear to my words, O LORD, consider my sighing.
2 Listen to my cry for help, my King and my God, for to you I pray.
3 In the morning, O LORD, you hear my voice; in the morning I lay my requests before you and wait in expectation.
Psalm 130:5-6 (NIV)
5 I wait for the LORD, my soul waits, and in his word I put my hope.
6 My soul waits for the Lord more than watchmen wait for the morning, more than watchmen wait for the morning.
5 I wait for the LORD, my soul waits, and in his word I put my hope.
6 My soul waits for the Lord more than watchmen wait for the morning, more than watchmen wait for the morning.
Matthew 11:25 (NIV)
11:25 At that time Jesus said, "I praise you, Father, Lord of heaven and earth, because you have hidden these things from the wise and learned, and revealed them to little children.
A couple of years ago I had the great delight of driving to Chicago’s O’Hare airport to pick up my daughter, son-in-law, and twin grandchildren. The four of them flew some 8 hours from England to arrive for a three week Christmas stay. It was a long trip filled with anticipation and joy.
While at the airport I had one of those Advent moments. Waiting at the terminal where passengers come through the doors after clearing customs is part of the journey. Waiting is often anxious, and filled with anticipation. And, it involves all sorts of people. Most are very quiet until their loved one, or friend, or business colleague comes through the door. If it's a loved one or friend, there's often a hug, sometimes a kiss, a handshake, or even just a pat on the back. There is also the impersonal greeting - the person standing to the side with a sign with either a name, or a company name, etc... I can't say it's a bad thing, but it doesn't compare with the warm welcome of loved ones waiting.
That day while I stood waiting for my family to arrive, a young Mom came near me, and with her, two little children in tow. The littlest was a girl who looked like she was about 18 months old. She stood, whispered to her Mom, and clung to her leg for safety.
11:25 At that time Jesus said, "I praise you, Father, Lord of heaven and earth, because you have hidden these things from the wise and learned, and revealed them to little children.
A couple of years ago I had the great delight of driving to Chicago’s O’Hare airport to pick up my daughter, son-in-law, and twin grandchildren. The four of them flew some 8 hours from England to arrive for a three week Christmas stay. It was a long trip filled with anticipation and joy.
While at the airport I had one of those Advent moments. Waiting at the terminal where passengers come through the doors after clearing customs is part of the journey. Waiting is often anxious, and filled with anticipation. And, it involves all sorts of people. Most are very quiet until their loved one, or friend, or business colleague comes through the door. If it's a loved one or friend, there's often a hug, sometimes a kiss, a handshake, or even just a pat on the back. There is also the impersonal greeting - the person standing to the side with a sign with either a name, or a company name, etc... I can't say it's a bad thing, but it doesn't compare with the warm welcome of loved ones waiting.
That day while I stood waiting for my family to arrive, a young Mom came near me, and with her, two little children in tow. The littlest was a girl who looked like she was about 18 months old. She stood, whispered to her Mom, and clung to her leg for safety.
The little boy was the opposite of his sister. About 4 or 5, he arrived at the security rope line and within seconds I could hear him say, "Dad, we're waiting Dad. The little boy, Mom, sister, like all of us, stared plaintively towards the glass doors for our loved ones to make their appearance. But the little boy wasn’t going to stand silently and wait. He was quiet for a few seconds at a time and then he would say outl oud: "Dad, Where Are You Dad? "
It was the cry of his little mind and heart, and on and on it went. Ten minutes, twenty minutes passed...he did not give up. No one seemed to mind. I smiled and then it seemed if God said to me within: “This is what I mean by waiting.”
I had an Advent moment, and saw in the heart of that little boy, the child that Jesus said was indicative of those who "got it". The little boy is undeterred in his expectancy. His love and adoration for his Dad is all he cared about. He does not care who is listening; and he does not mind repeatedly asking for His Dad to show up. “Dad, Where are you Dad?”
Jesus taught us to pray:
“Our Father, Who is in Heaven,
Holy is Your Name,
May your Kingdom come…”
Advent means arrival, waiting in expectancy, craving Immanuel - God with us.
The little boy’s Dad walked through the door, and the boy, oblivious to security rules and concerns, went under the ropes and ran to his arms, yelling “Daaaaaad”; and his Father pick him up, swung him around in a circle and they hugged, and kissed. And all I kept hearing was "Dad, You're Here"...and it made me smile and say “Yes Lord, I get it”.
A Prayer:
Advent means arrival, waiting in expectancy, craving Immanuel - God with us.
The little boy’s Dad walked through the door, and the boy, oblivious to security rules and concerns, went under the ropes and ran to his arms, yelling “Daaaaaad”; and his Father pick him up, swung him around in a circle and they hugged, and kissed. And all I kept hearing was "Dad, You're Here"...and it made me smile and say “Yes Lord, I get it”.
A Prayer:
“Father, may I never grow up to be too old that I forget to be child-like in my expectations of you. Our hearts are never-full unless they are full of you. While we wait through Advent, and beyond, here our prayer: Even so, come Lord Jesus. Amen!
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