Waiting with Hope - that's what Advent is all about
When I was a little girl we always had an advent calendar in our house in December. My sister and I would take turns opening the
The song Emmanuel starts with these words:
“O come O come, Emmanuel, and ransom captive Israel that mourns in lowly exile here until the Son of God appears. Rejoice! Rejoice! Emmanuel shall come to thee, O Israel.”https://youtu.be/SkvYR4BcHYc
Just as the chosen people of Israel longed for the coming of their Messiah, so we, too, long for Jesus to come. We long for his presence. We long for his healing touch. We long for his peace and his joy in our hearts. This song, set in a minor key, reflects that longing. It has gripped my heart and become one of my favorite Christmas songs in recent years. It is not a happy, bouncy Christmas ditty; it is a somber, sobering reminder that makes me emotional each time I hear it. It is a reminder of waiting, of trusting, of knowing that God has a plan for all things. And a reminder that he is with me: he is my Emmanuel.
For those of us who know Jesus, the Messiah, as our Savior, we are waiting for his return. For others who are still considering who Jesus is, and maybe this is you, I hope this will be the Christmas for saying yes to him and inviting him to come into your life and rescue you. Think about this as you listen to this song. Ask him to be your Savior, to be with you this advent season and always.
“Behold, a virgin shall be with child, and shall bring forth a son, and they shall call his name Emmanuel, which being interpreted is God with us.” Matthew 1:23 (KJV)
Question : What does advent mean to you? What advent traditions and music are most special to you?
Prayer Power: Dear Lord, thank you for giving me a heart that longs for your coming. Fill my heart with your hope, your peace, your love and your joy this advent season. You are my Emmanuel. Thank you for being with me always. Amen.
Jeannie and her husband Roy Blocher founded Body & Soul® in 1981 and she currently serves as the Director of Spiritual Impact, leading a dedicated team of Instructors in creating spiritual resources for the ministry. Jeannie loves spending time with family, which now includes 9 grandchildren, spread over three states. She loves encouraging both family and Body & Soul® friends to grow in faith & fitness!
