2^nd Sunday in Advent

Isaiah 9:6-7 – For to us a child is born, to us a son is given; and the government shall be upon his shoulder, and his name shall be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. ⁷ Of the increase of his government and of peace there will be no end, on the throne of David and over his kingdom, to establish it and to uphold it with justice and with righteousness from this time forth and forevermore. The zeal of the LORD of hosts will do this.

Anticipating the sunrise on a cold March morning in the hills of eastern Ohio.  Pathfinder School property, near Jackson, Ohio.

If you have ever camped out in cold weather you know a little something about anticipation.  The dark hours of early morning, before even the faintest rays of sunshine begin to grace the eastern sky, seem endless.  There is certainly some trepidation knowing that you have to climb out of a warm sleeping bag into the freezing morning air.  But, there is also excitement for those good things you know await you, stoking the smoldering embers of last night’s fire back to a blaze by which to warm yourself, that first steaming cup of coffee, and, perhaps, a hot cinnamon roll baked in a Dutch oven over the coals.

Those in Isaiah’s time knew a lot about anticipation.  In fact, it would be many generations before the promised Messiah arrived.  Fortunately for us, we have the advantage of knowing how the story of the Messiah unfolds.  Advent is a time of waiting for Christmas, that day we have set aside to celebrate the birth of Christ.  But, as Christians, our real anticipation is for the coming of God’s eternal kingdom, that time when we can celebrate the “marriage supper of the lamb” (Revelation 19:9) with our Lord and Savior in heaven.  If a warm campfire, a steaming cup of coffee, and a hot cinnamon roll on a cold morning sound good, try to imagine what awaits us in heaven!

Read more about my “God is Revealed…“ category of posts

© Todd D. Nystrom and Todd the Hiker, 2013.