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Advent Day 1, Waiting in Joyful Hope

Psalm 25:1-7
1 To you, O LORD, I lift up my soul.
2  O my God, in you I trust; let me not be put to shame; let not my enemies exult over me.
3  Indeed, none who wait for you shall be put to shame; they shall be ashamed who are wantonly treacherous.
4  Make me to know your ways, O LORD; teach me your paths.
5  Lead me in your truth and teach me, for you are the God of my salvation; for you I wait all the day long.
6  Remember your mercy, O LORD, and your steadfast love, for they have been from of old.
7  Remember not the sins of my youth or my transgressions; according to your steadfast love remember me, for the sake of your goodness, O LORD!

Psalm 25:16-21
16  Turn to me and be gracious to me, for I am lonely and afflicted.

Psalm 130:5
5  I wait for the LORD, my soul waits, and in his word I hope;




The first of day of Advent has arrived.  The short season this year still involves waiting. I knew that from my childhood.  Advent came and we waited.  Anticipation was interrupted with preparations.  We smelled the cookies, helped put up the decorations, prepared the house for the coming of Christmas. 

We waited...we wait.

The Psalmist reminds us that our lives - as a whole - are a journey.  We are sojourners - people passing through.  If by reason of strength, 70, 80 years...our lives are but a vapor of steam...appearing for a moment then passing away.  But, vs 3, "indeed none of you who wait for God shall be put to shame".  That's the promise isn't it...that's the goal too.

What the Psalmist says in vs 16 is the sad part of this season.  Psychiatrist say that they spend more time during this time of the year talking to people who are alone than any other time.  But, read on my friend...we are not alone.  God comes to us as we wait on him.

Immanuel is not  just a name, it is the fulfillment of our waiting.  We begin this season with the anticipation of waiting in joyful hope.  Our God once created; then came, redeemed, and is going to come again.  Every Advent reminds us that we wait on Him - with Joyful anticipation. 

Isaiah 64:4
4  From of old no one has heard or perceived by the ear, no eye has seen a God besides you, who acts for those who wait for him. 


Come again, O Lord, our Immanuel...be with us, we need you more than ever...we wait for you.  Come to us in our loneliness...come to us in our need for forgiveness...come to us in our fears....come to us in faith...

O Come, O Come Immanuel


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