We wait with urgent expectation.<\/a> As we wait for Jesus\u2019 coming, we\u00a0 need to get our houses in order. What can we do this week, this month, this coming year to prepare for his arrival? Word to the wise: it is quite likely the Lord will not come at the expected hour.<\/p>\nLet\u2019s take a deep breath while waiting in the holiday season traffic jam or super long checkout line this week. Breathe deeply and think about how saints of old waited hundreds and thousands of years for the prophecies about the Messiah to be fulfilled. Ponder how their long-awaited one is with us now in spirit as we wait in line. As we clean the house or apartment for a Christmas party, or get cleaned up to go to one, let\u2019s cleanse our hidden thoughts about God, others and ourselves stowed away in cluttered hearts with the awareness that Jesus sees all. As a housekeeping and grooming analogy, let\u2019s consider cleaning out the closet into which we throw everything as we prepare for the guests\u2019 arrival. Think about ironing the wrinkled shirt or blouse we wear under the sport coat or jacket to the party. Let\u2019s get ready. He\u2019s coming.<\/p>\n<\/body><\/html>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
Advent is about waiting\u2014waiting for Jesus\u2019 appearance. But it is very difficult to wait in a society of instant gratification, fast food, and high-speed internet. The Prophecy Candle that many churches light the first week of Advent reflects a lifestyle of waiting as the prophets of old waited patiently and attentively for the Messiah to […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1284,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[1],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-10632","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-uncategorized"],"yoast_head":"\n
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The Prophecy candle points to the lifestyle of waiting the prophets of old modeled, as they looked forward to the Messiah's coming with eager expectation. 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<\/a>