WORTH THE WAIT

ILLUSTRATION: Tell the story of a strange Christmas tradition you have.

TENSION

When you really think about it, some of our Christmas traditions are weird. We hang socks over our fireplace…then, we fill them with candy. We put a dead tree in the living room…then, we decorate it with colorful glass balls. We put eggs into a beverage…then, we drink it.

All of this stuff is weird, but one tradition stands above them all as the most frustrating—wrapped gifts under the tree.

Do you remember being tortured as a kid by questions about that large gift chilling in your living room? You had to sit in the same room with it every day, but you had no idea what it was. All you could do was study its shape because its edges were being hugged by wrapping paper covered in elves. You’d observe it. You’d shake it. You’d listen to it. Maybe you’d even attempt to cut the crease with a razor for a sneak peek and then tape it back together (don’t do that).

Then finally, on Christmas day, you would run directly towards that special gift, tear it open, and scream with excitement when you finally saw it face to face. It was exactly what you wanted. All the waiting was over— here it was. The anticipation made the wait all the more worth it.

When we think of the Christmas story, our minds go straight to baby Jesus in a manger surrounded by livestock. Yes, that is a major part of it. But there is a whole lot more to the story.

• We are in a series called “Advent.”

• What does that word even mean? I am sure you’ve never used it outside of a church context.

• The word “Advent” is derived from the Latin word adventus, which simply means “arrival.”

• At advent, we take intentional time to reflect on the arrival of Jesus as a child.

• Put yourselves in the shoes of ancient Israelites — or even Mary and Joseph. They spent their whole lives waiting for the Messiah.

• Waiting is a big part of Christmas, right? We wait on the gifts. We wait on the day to arrive. We wait in line at the store. All of those are good, but we should also reflect on what it meant to wait for Jesus.

• For Christians, we should use the weeks leading up to Christmas to reflect on what the Coming King means for our lives.

• Let’s examine an often overlooked theme of Christmas — waiting.

• This prophecy was penned by Isaiah — one of the most prolific prophets of Israel.

• His name literally translates to “God is my salvation.”

• This is a fitting title since he spent most of his ministry foretelling the coming King for God’s people.

• Isaiah wrote to Israel during a very turbulent time in their history. They had just experienced a massive defeat in war. This caused all of their people to spread throughout the wilderness — knowing no home and no comfort.

• They felt broken, abandoned, and more than a little homesick.

• Light shines through the cracks in their brokenness as the prophet foretells a King who will be a “wonderful, counselor, mighty God, everlasting father, and a prince of peace.”

• Wonderful represented his supernatural nature.

• Counselor represents a coming comfort.

• Mighty God shows strength and power.

• Everlasting Father is a promise of a good father who doesn’t let his kids down.

• And finally, prince of peace! This is likely the promise they needed to hear the most — based on their circumstances.

• Doesn’t this promise in Isaiah sound amazing?

• The ancient Israelites lived in a time of unbearable war and bloodshed.

• They didn’t even live in their own land because violence forced them out as refugees. • They were in constant fear of violence.

• They didn’t know where they would spend the month, let alone the next year.

• They didn’t know when their sons would be called out to battle.

• Then, the prophet Isaiah promised a Prince of Peace. That is exactly what they needed!

• A king who was going to bring peace to the world. All of the Earth will rest on His shoulders, and He is going to rule fairly and lovingly.

• The Israelites were ready for this promised prince.

APPLICATION

• Did it happen immediately? No.

• 100 years passed. 200 years passed. 300 years passed. Over 600 years passed before Jesus was born in Bethlehem.

• God gave a promise, but that promise took some time before it came to pass.

• This Christmas season, I encourage you to wait well because you will spend a lot of time waiting.

• Some of you are still waiting for packages you ordered on Black Friday.

• Some of you are waiting for a breakthrough.

• You are waiting for a certain situation to start making sense.

• You are waiting for your relationships to improve.

• You are waiting on a miracle, but God just seems still.

• Sometimes walking with God requires waiting.

Landing

I can assure you of this: Christmas reminds us that God will come through.

• God’s promises will come to pass. However, God’s promises do not have to follow your proposed timeline.

• Pray and ask God to help you to wait well. Your waiting will turn into wonder. Your confusion will turn into clarity.

• The wait will be worth it.

• What was on the other side of their waiting? The promised Messiah — God was going to step down into human flesh.

• In Matthew, the angel references the same prophecies from Isaiah. The angel pronounced: “The virgin will conceive and give birth to a son, and they will call him "Immanuel” (which means God with us).” Matthew 1:23

• ILLUSTRATION: Talk about a time when you needed God’s presence in the midst of pain.

• While processing this pain, I didn't read Scripture exactly related to my situation. I read the Christmas story. I wanted to meditate on the miracle that God became flesh.

• The Christmas story illustrates a life-changing truth: Jesus does not always take away your pain, but He does promise that you'll never go through it alone.

• Both Isaiah and the angel prophesied the birth of Jesus, as “Immanuel.”

• Immanuel translates to “God with us.” Most Bibles will even tell you this definition within the text, and they don’t do that with many words. It illustrates the emphasis this name deserves.

• Let me assure you of this— you are not alone. • You will never be alone.

• God is with you.

• God came into this world as Jesus.

• He walked the same Earth as us.

• He experienced loss, pain, hunger, acne, anger, and probably even traffic.

• We must remember that Jesus is with us. Whatever you are going through right now, I want you to know that God is with you.

• He is there for you. You do not have to face anything alone.

• You may feel like you are in a waiting season, but look at the Christmas story as a reminder that:

• God keeps his promises.

• Jesus is present.

• This is my encouragement to you. Everyone shut their eyes, take a deep breath, and collectively pray to Immanuel, God with us.

• Strive to feel Him with you right now.

• Jesus is as close to you as your next breath. • The wait is over.

Landing

I can assure you of this: Christmas reminds us that God will come through.

• God’s promises will come to pass. However, God’s promises do not have to follow your proposed timeline.

• Pray and ask God to help you to wait well. Your waiting will turn into wonder. Your confusion will turn into clarity.

• The wait will be worth it.

• What was on the other side of their waiting? The promised Messiah — God was going to step down into human flesh.

• In Matthew, the angel references the same prophecies from Isaiah. The angel pronounced: “The virgin will conceive and give birth to a son, and they will call him "Immanuel” (which means God with us).” Matthew 1:23

Illustration: Talk about a time when you needed God’s presence in the midst of pain.

Connection to Closing:

• While enduring this, I didn’t reflect on Scripture linked exactly to my situation.

• Instead, I read the Christmas story.

• I wanted to be reminded of just how messy Jesus’s life started.

• I wanted to meditate on the miracle that God became flesh.

• The Christmas story illustrates a life-changing truth: Jesus does not always take away your pain, but He does promise that you'll never go through it alone.

• Both Isaiah and the angel prophesied the birth of Jesus, as “Immanuel.”

• Immanuel translates to “God with us.” Most Bibles will even tell you this definition within the text, and they don’t do that with many words. It illustrates the emphasis this name deserves.

• Let me assure you of this— you are not alone.

• You will never be alone.

• God is with you.

• God came into this world as Jesus.

• He walked the same Earth as us.

• He experienced loss, pain, hunger, acne, anger, and probably even traffic.

• We must remember that Jesus is with us. Whatever you are going through right now, I want you to know that God is with you.

• He is there for you. You do not have to face anything alone.

• You may feel like you are in a waiting season, but look at the Christmas story as a reminder that:

• God keeps his promises.

• Jesus is present.

• This is my encouragement to you. Everyone shut their eyes, take a deep breath, and collectively pray to Immanuel, God with us.

• Strive to feel Him with you right now.

• Jesus is as close to you as your next breath. • The wait is over.

TALK IT OUT Go through these questions with your circle. Be honest. Be open. Talk through the tough stuff.

Share an embarrassing clumsy-moment story.

Who has been there for you during a difficult time in your life? How did they help you?

How is God being there for you similar to your friends being there for you? How is it different?

God is always with you. What can you do to feel closer to Him?

How can you be a light for Jesus through someone else’s darkest times?

When you are experiencing suffering, how can you turn to Jesus?

READ THESE PASSAGES IN ORDER EVERY DAY

Genesis 3:14-15

Luke 1:46-56 2

Corinthians 8:9

John 6:38

Philippians 2:5-7

Romans 11:33-36

Revelation 19:6-10

Do the following with each passage:

ASK– God to connect with you here. In prayer, start by slowing down and inviting God to be present. Begin with focus and openness to see what God has for you today.

READ– the selected section of Scripture slowly. Take note of the words and phrases that intrigue you, reading them a second time if necessary.

REFLECT– on what grabs you. How does this passage personally relate to your own life and experiences?

RESPOND– to the Scripture. Speak directly to God about what’s on your mind and heart. Look for ways to live out what you’ve uncovered.