Advent Begins

We lit the first candle of Advent this morning during church.  Our theme for the day was waiting...Doug challenged us to think about what it really is that we have set our expectations towards this Christmas.  He reminded us of Simeon, who waited and waited for the Lord's promises to come true in his life.  Most of his life, Simeon waited for an answer that never came.  That is, until one day the promise came true and he met the Messiah that he had been promised.
Do you have enough faith to believe that God will make good on his promises in your life?  Do you have enough faith to understand that the way God may fulfill his promises in your life may look quite differently than what you expected?  Do you have enough faith to stay the course and wait upon the Lord?  If you do, then you too will enjoy the fulfillment of Isaiah 40: 28-31
 Have you never heard?
 Have you never understood?
 The Lord is the everlasting God,
      the Creator of all the earth.
He never grows weak or weary.
      No one can measure the depths of his understanding.
 He gives power to the weak
      and strength to the powerless.
 Even youths will become weak and tired,
      and young men will fall in exhaustion.
 But those who trust in the Lord will find new strength.
      They will soar high on wings like eagles.
They will run and not grow weary.
      They will walk and not faint.

After church, I took Tanner on a beautiful walk through snowy Stockholm.  We've had loads and loads of snow, the most this early in my memory.  It's peaceful and beautiful in the city, now tastefully decorated for Christmas.  I listened to a favorite Christmas album on my ipod, City on a Hill: It's Christmas Time. I love entering the story once again, the anticipation of the weeks that now lead us to the celebration of the Christ child once again.
What are you waiting for this year?  What thoughts cause you anxiety?  Do you have enough faith to know that the Lord will renew you and give you strength to face each new day?  Because even when the season exhausts you, the Lord does not grow weary.
Glad Advent!  Anticipation the season with hope and joy.