Advent
A Season of Preparation
Light at the End of the Tunnel
November 29, 2020 • Pastor Ken Cline
Christmas lights sparkle and shine in the darkness, turning the black of night that we often fear into a magical time of beauty, joy, and expectation. The lights whisper to us that something wonderful is coming. That which we’ve waited for all year is only a few days away. For the Christian, the lights of Christmas remind us that Jesus, the light of the world, is coming back to restore the world out of the darkness that envelopes us on this earth. Advent is a season of waiting. Between the first Christmas and the Second Coming of Jesus, we wait with anticipation for Him, the Light of the World, the light at the end of our tunnel of sin-covered darkness. Jesus is worth the wait. All the promises of God are wrapped in Him and we long for them to be fulfilled and for peace to come and stay. But in this Advent time, we must learn to wait well. Waiting well begins by looking at the reason for our waiting. By looking to Jesus as we wait, He will renew our strength and help us to endure the dark days with joy and hope. The Christmas story documents for us several people who waited well and some who doubted when their faith was tested. Luke 2 tells us of Simeon, a man filled with the Holy Spirit and rewarded for his faith by being able to see Jesus in person in his old age. Simeon knew the Scriptures and prophecies that foretold the coming Messiah. He held hope in his heart for the Messiah and the salvation for many that would come with Him and was filled with joy to see his hope made flesh and blood. Likewise, Anna spent many years in hopeful prayer and fasting for God to redeem Israel and bring salvation to the world. When she saw Jesus in the temple, she knew He was the answer to her prayers, the light at the end of her tunnel of grief and loneliness. She waited well and God rewarded her for her faith. The most we will wait is the brief span of years that make up our lifetime. When we die, our waiting will be over and our faith will be made sight. We must learn to wait patiently, faithfully, steeped in Scripture and prayer, with hope and without worry. Waiting well means placing confidence in Jesus despite the turmoil in the world around us. When Jesus arrives, the whole world will see His glory. Until then, we must shine as lights to the world bringing His hope and joy to those around us. The wise men had a star leading them to Jesus. Your neighbors and loved ones have you. Be a light in the darkness, shining with the hope of Jesus and living with confident expectation of His coming.