Wednesday, the 3rd week of Advent: Waiting In Faith

It's Wednesday in the third week of Advent. This morning I'm thinking about what it means to wait with faith.

Christmas is just a little over a week away. At our house, the decorations are finished, cookies have begun being baked, presents are wrapped and music is in the air...We're waiting.

As I write this my daughter, son-in-law, and their four kids (their two sets of twins) are on a plane flying over the Atlantic headed for Chicago.

We'll head down to get them...stand in the line and look with anticipation for them to walk through the door.

Anticipation, waiting...they are all part of what Advent is all about.

We wait in hope

We wait in faith

We wait with expectancy...

Titus 2:11-13

11 For the grace of God that brings salvation has appeared to all men...13 while we wait for the blessed hope--the glorious appearing of our great God and Savior, Jesus Christ,

A few years ago I was at the airport waiting for my daughter and her family come through those doors. A Mom with a little boy and very young daughter came up to the rope line and stood alongside of me also looking for someone to come through. The little boy stood right at the edge and kept saying out loud:

"Dad, Where are you Dad?"

His Mom, at first, reassured him to be patient, he's coming. But this little boy was anticipating, hoping, expecting, and it was sure faith that allowed him to keep saying..."Dad, were waiting Dad...."

Over and over he kept saying it, and then, all of a sudden the doors opened, and the little boy yelled, "DAAAAAADDD"...and without regard to security ducked under the ropes and ran to his Dad's waiting arms.

Jesus said, "unless we become as little children..."

Advent reminds us that we wait with expectancy, hope, and full assurance of faith.

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The Tabernacle

The readings today are Exodus 36, 37, 38 I wanted to post some pictures of what these various parts of the Tabernacle looked like. It's not the easiest read in the world, but if you persevere through it, you can get a picture of all the different pieces that made up the tabernacle. It is a replica of the various parts of the Tabernacle in the Wilderness: First thing in the chapter listed is the outside of the tabernacle which consisted of curtains tied together and put on cross bars through loops. Next at the beginning of 37 is the table and lampstand: Also, the altar of incense: And, the altar for the burnt offering which was in the courtyard: Finally, the courtyard which made it all come together: Hope that helps with what it might have all looked like. Most importantly, this was their "place" of worship they were building. I hope you have a great day of worship. - Posted using BlogPress from my iPad

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