Looking for the Day

December 3, 2023

Advent 2023

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One of my strongest memories as a child was the Christmas after my first nephew was born. My brother was in the Air Force and he and his wife had been stationed in the Philippines and Europe for about 10 years, meaning Bill had not been home since I was two! But this year, he and his wife were coming home to Indiana for Christmas.

I don’t know that I’ve ever been as excited for a Christmas as I was that year. We decided we wanted my sister-in-law, who was from the Philippines, to experience a real old fashioned, Indiana Christmas. We bought a real tree, and strung strands of cranberries and popcorn to put on it. The day after Thanksgiving, I made gigantic banners that hung in our front room windows—nearly blocking the view—that said “Welcome Home Bill, Corita, and Christopher.”

Each day after school I would run into the house, tear a ring off the paper chain indicating how many days were left until Christmas and then take my station on the couch, watching eagerly for them to arrive…on December 20th. But each day I would faithfully, hopefully, sit there watching until it was time for bed. I did not grow weary of waiting, instead each day it felt like my anticipation grew. My mom would say, “You know they’re not coming for another week, right?” But I remember thinking, “What if they arrive early? I need to be here to greet them first!”

The early believers Peter was writing to knew Jesus was coming back. I am sure that at first, they were eagerly anticipating that moment (it could be any day after all!). But over time, doubts, aided by the scoffers around them, may have wearied their ability to live with that anticipation. It’s only natural when you expect something to happen in a week, a month, or a year that you would begin to question whether it was really going to happen at all. However, Peter is adamant that we need to remember that time from God’s perspective is very different that ours, and that we should not grow weary in our anticipation. Each year, as we celebrate Jesus’ first arrival to the Earth, we have an opportunity to renew our hope in His return. Whether that is today, tomorrow or a thousand years from now, may we live a life anticipating that truth.

For reflection:

How differently do you think your life would look if you lived as if you truly believed Jesus could return any moment?
How can we try to live more in line with that hope?

Nativity building:

Set up the stable, but leave it empty for now. Long before Jesus was born on earth, God was getting everything ready. God’s people waited for a Savior for hundreds of years. The prophets called them to wait with HOPE.

by Jim Caler

Week 1 Family Talk

Can you create a list together of events or things you hope for?

Did your list include birthdays, a special family trip, losing a tooth, competing in soccer season, performing in a concert or seeing a friend or grandparent? Your hope is the feeling of expectation that these events will happen. God’s people had a great hope, too—the Messiah! They wanted to be rescued and God’s words over many years had told them that this Savior would indeed come. This Messiah would be from the line of Jacob (Numbers 24:17). He would be born from the family of Jesse (Isaiah 11:1). He would be born in Bethlehem (Micah 5:2). He would be worshiped and given gifts at His birth (Psalm 72:10). He would even be crucified (Psalm 22: 16-18). All of these events came true.

Our Bible reading for this week talks about another hopeful event—the return of Jesus Christ. We are reminded that God does not view time the same as we do. Peter reminded the readers of his letter that God is not ‘slow’ to return but patient; Jesus will return right on schedule. God does not want anyone to miss the opportunity to learn about Jesus, to trust Him as Savior and gain eternal life. And just as God fulfilled all His promises about the birth, death, and resurrection of Jesus, we can be sure of His promise that Jesus will return.

So, as we share our excitement about Christmas events this year, let’s also share our hope in Jesus with those around us. Jesus wants ALL to come to him, “not wanting anyone to perish, but everyone to come to repentance.”

How about considering another list, one naming those that you want to tell about our Hope, our Jesus?

Let’s Talk:

What are you hoping for? Why are you so excited about it?
Today’s reading is about waiting for God to keep His promises. What are some of God’s promises that you remember?
How is our hope for Jesus’ return better than anything else we hope for?

by Dawn Schuessler