We know that the whole creation has been groaning as in the pains of childbirth right up to the present time.  Not only so, but we ourselves, who have the firstfruits of the Spirit, groan inwardly as we wait eagerly for our adoption as sons, the redemption of our bodies.  For in this hope we were saved.  But hope that is seen is no hope at all.  Who hopes for what he already has?  But if we hope for what we do not yet have, we wait for it patiently.  - Romans 8:22-25 (NIV)

I can remember as a child watching the calendar roll around as October turned to November.  The arrival of November meant that Thanksgiving was just around the corner and then we were on the home stretch to Christmas.  As a child, I waited in hope, but without much patience.  Christmas meant lots of beautiful lights, Christmas trees, nights all marm in bed as a cold wind howled outside, Christmas presents, friends and family, food, and the celebration of Jesus' birth.  Over the years, my focus has become set on Jesus during this time of year.  It is a season of hope; a season of waiting.

In the above scripture verses from Romans, the apostle Paul is writing of waiting for the return of Jesus when we and all of creation will be made perfect.  We long for Jesus to return.  It will be a glorious day.  It s a day for which we hope and wait for patiently.

In a similar way, Advent is a season of waiting.  Author Bobby Gross states it when when he writes, "We wait for the coming of God.  We need Him to come.  Our world is messed up and we are messed up... (we) long for God to set things right.  We pray for signs of His presence...  We wait in hope.  We believe that something is happening in our world... something large, light-filled and life-giving."  God is coming!  We wait hopefully and patiently to celebrate the birth of our Lord and Savior!  Christmas reminds us that our hope has been fulfilled in Jesus Christ!

Have a joyous Christmas season!

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