December 13, 2020
Greetings and blessings to all of you. We are in the advent season celebrating the arrival of baby Jesus to his mother Mary and his father Joseph. The two very young people had to learn what we are learning …how to wait on the Lord. They had to wait to see the outcome of their obedience of the Virgin Birth which most likely brought shame and ridicule and the many questions from prying eyes and gossiping busybodies. The Bible says in Isaiah 40:31, “they who wait for the Lord shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings like eagles; they shall run and not be weary; they shall walk and not faint.” It is hard to wait! And it can be especially stressful in a season that we find ourselves in (like this pandemic). Sometime the waiting can seem endless. But to make it a little easier, let me share with you what waiting is about. First it is about HOPE. To wait on the Lord with faith filled certainty can fundamentally transform the experience of waiting. It takes our eyes off ourselves and our problems however real and painful they are and puts them on the unchanging and all powerful One who loves us. Biblical hope turns our faces continuously toward God. The third candle of the advent season is JOY. Did you know that waiting is about Joy? The believer who has learned to wait biblically has learned that God’s character matters more than our challenges. In the Book of James, it says,” count it all joy when you fall into various trials knowing that the testing of your faith produces patience.” But let patience have its perfect work that you may be perfect and complete, lacking nothing.” Responding rightly to our troubles develops within us perseverance which over time leads to mature faith. Finally waiting is about LOVE. Why did Jesus Come? Back then, just like today, the people were feeling depressed, and anxious because they wanted the nation to be led by the values of GOD instead of the Roman oppressors similar to our wicked culture who have rejected the things of God. Just like today (the people) also needed a deliverer. We like {they were} in mortal danger of being condemned to hell But God came down to rescue them and us so we could reside with him in His Kingdom to come. Was that Love or what? This King Almighty God gave up his excellence living in the heavens to be born in a dirty barn and die a horrible death on the cross. That’s Love.
With the Love of Christ
First Lady Vivian C. Currie
Pastor ALC