Longing for the

Coming of Jesus

Ever since the fall of man, people have waited and longed for the coming of the promised Savior. Separated from the living God, mankind was ravaged by the devil and the consequences of sin. Sickness, suffering, destruction and death had replaced the peace, joy and fellowship men had once enjoyed with the living God. Now their only hope was that someday God would fulfill His Word and send the Deliverer who would take away their sin and restore them back to their Creator.

In every generation that followed Adam, those who believed in this promise hoped and prayed that the Messiah would come during their lifetime.

And finally, the longing of all those generations was fulfilled when Jesus the Savior was born 2,000 years ago. St. Luke records for us the rejoicing of Simeon and Anna when the baby Jesus was brought into the temple by His parents.

Then he [Simeon] took Him into his arms, and blessed God, and said: “Now Lord, Thou dost let Thy bondservant depart in peace, according to Thy word; for mine eyes have seen Thy salvation, which Thou hast prepared in the presence of all peoples, a light of revelation to the Gentiles, and the glory of Thy people Israel” (Luke 2:28–32).

At that very moment she [Anna] came up and began giving thanks to God, and continued to speak of Him to all those who were looking for the redemption of Jerusalem (Luke 2:38).

Now we who belong to Him once again wait and long for His return. After Jesus accomplished our salvation He went back to the Father, giving us this promise: “I will come again, and receive you to Myself; that where I am, there you may be also” (John 14:3). This promise fills us with great joy and expectation, and it gives us strength when we go through trials . . .

The apostle John ends the book of Revelation with the renewed promise of Jesus: “Yes, I am coming quickly,” and the response of the Church, which is us: “Amen. Come, Lord Jesus” (Revelation 22:20).

I invite you to celebrate Christmas this year by letting the Lord know:

• How thankful you are for His fulfilling the promise of the Father and becoming your Savior.

• How much you love Him and long for His return.

• That He may use your life, without reservation, to take His name to those . . . longing and waiting for a Deliverer.

May God’s presence and peace be real to you this Christmas and every day of the coming year.