A wonderful memory from my childhood Christmases was the huge box that would arrive from my mom’s parents at that time of the year. I knew there would be something in that package just for me. I could hardly stand the anticipation. Each year grandma would find tons of little treasures to send us. She’d wrap each one individually. There was always a tin of specially decorated cookies too.

The box would customarily arrive two weeks before Christmas so we had to wait for what seemed an eternity. My mom told us to be patient, but that was like telling a flea not to jump. Being patient isn’t easy for any of us. Waiting for anything in life can be gut-wrenching, but most of the time the wait is worth it. In Romans 8:25 God says, “But if we hope for what we do not see, we wait for it with patience.”

I don’t really remember any of the gifts – more the anticipation of waiting to discover what was waiting for us.  In our anticipation of the Advent Season, we are waiting too – waiting for the promised Messiah.  Even though He has already come to do the work intended for our salvation, there’s an ongoing anticipation for His final arrival. Our gift from Him is available to all of us and even though we can’t imagine what’s waiting for us, we know that if it’s from Him, it will be amazing.

Lord, sometimes I just can’t wait to get to heaven, but apparently you still have something for me to do. Make me your instrument and continue to give me the strength and patience to share your truth if it is your will.  Amen!