Advent

This year Jon and I have been celebrating advent using an advent wreath. Each Sunday leading up to Christmas, we light a candle on the advent wreath, read some scriptures, learn about different holiday traditions and customs, and enjoy praying together. Advent...awaiting the arrival of King Jesus...is such a precious and intimate reality. The phrase that comes to mind during this time of year is "O Come, O Come Emmanuel." Emmanuel is such a powerful name...God WITH US. He is OUR COMING KING....COMING BACK FOR US, HIS CHILDREN, ONE DAY! Hallelujah! Just as those long ago awaited His birth...we await His second coming with great anticipation!

I've never told anyone this but I have always dreamed of being pregnant during the Christmas season. I've yearned for a small taste of what it would be like to be in Mary's shoes and to be awaiting the birth of a child during this season. As I am now in my sixth month of pregnancy and as we make preparations for our baby girl, I find myself pondering Mary and the birth of Jesus. How did she prepare for the King of Glory to be her son? As I desire to create a special place for our baby girl, did Mary long to lay the Savior of the World in a haven fit for a King? As I long to see our child and hold her and know her, did Mary ever wonder what it would be like to cradle the Prince of Peace? Did she ever ponder what it would be like to look into the eyes of the one who would redeem all mankind? What was it like to hold a son who knew you more intimately than anyone in all the world?

God took on flesh and became a man. He did this so we could be made right with him. Have you ever considered that He did this so that we would know He knew what it was like to be one of us? He understands our every joy and grief...our pain and relief...every heartache we go through...that's why He came to us so we would know He knew!