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| Photo courtesy of ideasget.com |
Advent, the season of Christmas which literally means "to come"...a time when we eagerly await the arrival of the Christ child, like the people of God did centuries ago.
The truth was, I reasoned, Christ HAD come. He HAD already come to that manger in a little town called Bethlehem. The Advent season seemed as though it was solely a time of remembering the past. Remembering how Christ came to Earth as a babe to Mary. Rereading the Christmas story, with the shepherds, and wise men, the angels and the bright star.
But this year is different.
This year, Advent has been officially recast in my heart.
This year, I am desperately yearning for the Savior to come...to come and bless a heart, to redeem it and soften it and change it and transform it.
This year, I eagerly and anxiously await the Savior's appearance in his heart, actions, words.
I pray that He would not tarry and come quickly!
I realize how dark the world can be without His presence and His transforming work in our souls!
Right now, I have my sights set on that bright Star, the Light of the World, who guides and leads me as I parent, shepherd, and disciple my unruly crew of pint-sized sinners.
Come and heal us, dear Lord!
Come and save us, Christ the Messiah!
Perhaps, you too, long to see the heart and life of a friend or family member changed this Christmas season. Perhaps you are discouraged because, like me, the daily snapshot of the current situation looks bleak. Hearts are hard. Frustration, anger, and hurt have snuffed out joy. But do you sense it? Do you see the promises in God's Word that point to hope and redemption? Do you long for the Savior to come right here, down to earth, to transform a heart and give a new dwelling place for the Spirit of God among us?
God with us.
Emmanuel.
God in us.
The biggest mystery of the gospel...the deepest mystery of all.
Well, dear one, let us join hearts and hands this holiday season and cry out for Advent in our hearts and in our homes! Dear Lord, the Promised One, our only source of hope and joy, come down from Heaven and come to earth in a fresh way, in a changed heart, so that we may praise your name throughout the ages!
That is my Advent prayer this season.
I eagerly and hopefully await His Advent in hard hearts...so we can give Him ALL the glory.
Yes Jesus, we long for you to come in fresh and mighty and palpable ways in the hearts and souls of all of our little ones. We need it! They need it! We cannot parent without You dear Lord as YOU are our only hope for their (and our) heart change and life transformation! We cannot change them! Oh, how often do we try! But we choose to give you ALL the glory as the One who can and ask that you would do so very soon! Please do not linger...please come and regenerate their hearts to new birth in you! May we celebrate your Advent in their lives and hearts this Christmas season!
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