Waiting For the Arrival!

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This is a time of year when many of us find ourselves waiting for and preparing for the arrival of guests who are coming to a holiday dinner, an open house, or even to spend a few days and nights with us. For Kim and me that means waiting for the arrival of our three children who will come to spend the holidays with us. And, that means a lot of preparation—e.g. getting the beds ready, shopping for food, and doing all the other things necessary to take proper care of our guests—even if they are our kids!  But guess what! We can’t wait until they come!

In fact, when I know that our children are coming—or any other guest for the matter—I find myself filled with such anticipation that I am constantly looking out the window to catch a glimpse of their arrival.  As the time gets closer to the hour they said they would arrive, the more I tend to peek out the window, maybe even pushing back the curtains or the blinds to see if their car is coming down the road or has pulled up in front of the house.  And when they do arrive, I want to be one of the first to be at the door to greet them and welcome them in. 

We have now entered that time of year that the Church calls, “Advent.” The word literally means, coming or arrival. It’s the time of year during which we as Christians anticipate the celebration of Jesus’ first arrival to this earth, the incarnation.  But, it’s also the time of year during which we are meant to consider what it means to anticipate his second arrival. Just as we prepare for that terrific day called Christmas—spending hours on end cooking, cleaning, decorating, shopping, sending cards, etc.—so too, we ought to be investing just as much effort, if not even more, anticipating and preparing for that great day when our Lord returns. 

This is what the ministry of John the Baptist was all about, preparing the people for the arrival of the Messiah, Jesus. Thus, the words of the prophet Isaiah were applied to him by the gospel writers, “A voice of one calling in the wilderness, ‘Prepare the way for the Lord, make straight paths for him….’” (Luke 3:4 – NIV) John’s ministry was one of preparation, calling the people to ready themselves as they anticipated the arrival of the One who would fulfill the plan of God for them and for the world.  He would be the One of whom it would be said, “Every valley shall be filled in, every mountain and hill made low. The crooked roads shall become straight, the rough ways smooth.  And all people will see God’s salvation.’” (Luke 3:5-6 – NIV)  

This season let’s not just prepare ourselves for the arrival of that one day called, Christmas; let’s make sure we are anticipating and preparing for that even greater day when Jesus our Savior, Lord, and King comes back to take us to himself forever! With great anticipation in our hearts, let’s peek up to the heavens to see if he’s not on his way! 

“Let every heart prepare him room!”

Have a great day!

Pastor Tim Harris