As I write this, I am one week removed from another surgery. This one was much easier than any of last year’s adventures in medicine, but I still need to take it easy. I have at least one more week of waiting until I can drive, work, or exercise. I wait…for incisions to heal, for energy levels to rebound and for things to return to “normal”.
During this unexpected “gift” of stillness, I’m using and studying a scripture writing plan. It begins with the Old Testament prophesies concerning Jesus and ends with…well, the month isn’t over yet…but I wrote today of the angel appearing to Mary In Luke chapter 1 to tell her of the Messiah’s coming and her part in it.
Advent. Not just waiting, but expectant waiting. That means hope. There are promises fulfilled at the end of the waiting. The Christmas season commemorates the arrival of that hope. The Savior of the world was born as a baby. One of His names, Emmanuel, means “God with us.” He came to be one of us, to be with us, to serve us, to love us and to save us. But Christmas not only observes this most blessed event, it also celebrates that this child once born in Bethlehem is still with us now. When we believe in His power and plan to save us from our own sin and the darkness of the world, He abides within us in the form of the Holy Spirit.
And the rescue story continues. Jesus came, He lives, and He is coming to earth again. When He comes the 2nd time it will be to defeat the powers of evil once and for all. It’s not an easy concept to understand, but it’s true. And it’s my hope.
He triumphed over sin and death and gives us a way to do the same by simply believing in Him. And for those who believe, we celebrate His first coming. His birth in a manger. And we wait for his 2nd coming. We wait expectantly through surgeries and pain and joy and grief and loneliness and loveliness. This world is a mixed bag, but one day He will banish tears and sorrow and sin for good. Oh praise Him!
The hymn that my heart keeps singing today is “O Come, O Come, Emmanuel.” I sing in celebration of all my Savior has done for me, for all that He continues to do in my life today, and for all the glory I will see in his second coming. “Rejoice! Rejoice!”
Now all this took place to fulfill what was spoken by the Lord through the prophet: “Behold, the virgin shall be with child and shall bear a son, and they shall call his name Immanuel”, which translated means, “God with us.” Matthew 1:22-23 NASB
One of my favorite TV specials to watch every year is Barbara Walter’s 10 most fascinating people of the year. It’s so entertaining to see the year’s biggest events replayed through interviews with key players. And while I feel certain that no one in my family will ever make that list (well, maybe Chandler has a shot), I thought my annual Christmas letter might be more fun through a similar lens. Therefore I present to you: The Sparks’ Family’s T