Hello Christmas!

Have you made your Christmas list and mailed it to Santa yet? I imagine in houses all around Rhinelander this morning there are lists being made that include all sorts of things from iPad to Lexus cars with big red bows! I delight in my kids making their lists. They talk on and on about what they want with huge, beaming smiles on their faces. I sure hope Santa pulls through for them! But then there is the last request, kind of like an umbrella insurance policy, “Surprise me.”

I love the surprise gift way more than just giving the expected gift from a list. The sense of awe and wonder for what is under the wrapping paper is a core part of our Christmas preparations of Advent. We try once again this year to connect with the feelings of arriving, anticipation, and expectation for Jesus’ birth. But as much as Jesus’ birth was a surprise…we also have to remember that the advent of Christ was not meant to be a surprise!

When Jesus began his 3 years of ministry, notice what Philip who would become one of the 12 disciples said, “We have found him of whom Moses…and also the prophets wrote” (John 1:45). He didn’t say, “Surprise! God sent a Savior!” They knew the Messiah was coming, they were expecting him, and finding Jesus was confirmation of God’s faithfulness. And that is the story of Christmas for us too. The advent of Christ is a vivid reminder that God does what He says He will do.

And this faithfulness is our hope too! Just as God promised to send Jesus, he promises to be with us now through the indwelling presence of the Holy Spirit. Just as Jesus came the first time, he promises to come again. We look forward with hope, confidently anticipating Christ’s second coming and fulfillment of His promises to dwell with us forever! (Rev 21:3). Now, I don’t know what is on your Christmas wish list this year…and God may not give you everything on your list, but we can be confident God will fulfill all the promises He made on His list.

I hope you find once again this Advent the delight of anticipation, wonder, and expectation.
-Submitted by Rev. Tim Grade