Day 1 - It's finally here!!! The wait is over.

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"7 Be still before the Lord and wait patiently for him; do not fret when people succeed in their ways, when they carry out their wicked schemes."

Psalm 37:7 (NIV)

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It's finally here! The wait is over. It's time to do Christmas again! (Wahoo! I know) Run into the same old patterns - doing things for tradition sake. But I wonder, how excited are you really?

I would suspect that maybe the children around you are more excited than you?

The thing with Christmas, like most things, we are creatures of habit and even when the habit gets old, we still do it. I know that I am excited this year maybe more than last because I have come to appreciate the time of preparation the advent season allows. Sometimes, in the 'busy'ness of life, of Christmas tradition, we can, maybe, forget a little the real reason we have a holiday, spend inordinate amounts of money, and eat more than we should.

Let me take you back, about 2000 years ago, the Jewish people had been waiting. They had been waiting for the Messiah, the One, the Son of God, foretold by the Prophets. They had been waiting for about 400 years for the one who was going to come and save them. Then, in a little corner of the Roman World, God's master plan was rolling into action. After years of waiting, the Messiah was on His way. Can you imagine for a second, what it must have been like to be waiting for such a long time? Maybe you would begin to doubt what was foretold?

But after all the waiting this was really happening. The Messiah came. He loved. He saved. So this advent season, I wonder if you will join me, being patiently excited not just for the destination - Christmas day - but for the journey. It's safe to say that this advent season will be different and could be the busiest advent for a while but don't forget, like it says in the Psalms - "Be still before the Lord and wait patiently for him" Wait patiently with anticipation for the coming of Christ. Be excited again. Welcome this season like meeting a friend you haven't seen in a year, embrace with all you have got, and then celebrate the birth of the One you love.

Reflect today: What can you do this advent season to help yourself prepare? What can you do to take the excitement of Christmas and share it with those around you?

Dear Lord,

Here we are again. Another year has gone by in a flash. Time seems to be getting faster and faster and there doesn't seem to be time in the day to get everything done. Please help me this Advent season to take the time to prepare, the time to help, and the time to appreciate what is really going on. I pray that you bless me, bless my family and friends, and use this time of year to really make a difference in the lives of everyone.

Amen