Longing

That is the word I would use to describe the concept of Advent ... longing.  A hope in God's rescue from a world that is full of darkness.  A surety that God has made promises that He always keeps.  A certainty that His presence in us is the most real thing in the universe.  And since all of these things are unseen or only glimpsed, we long for God.  More of Him.  More of hope foretold by the prophets, kept promises that were sung in the Psalms and a presence that is God's signed love letter to us all, penned in the blood of the lamb.

I wonder about the longing in the heart of Isaiah when he wrote those famous words from Chapter 9.  "The people who walk in darkness will see a great light. For those who live in a land of deep darkness, a light will shine. You will enlarge the nation of Israel, and its people will rejoice. They will rejoice before you as people rejoice at the harvest and like warriors dividing the plunder.  For you will break the yoke of their slavery and lift the heavy burden from their shoulders.  You will break the oppressor’s rod, just as you did when you destroyed the army of Midian. The boots of the warrior and the uniforms bloodstained by war will all be burned. They will be fuel for the fire. For a child is born to us, a son is given to us. The government will rest on his shoulders. And he will be called:
Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. His government and its peace will never end. He will rule with fairness and justice from the throne of his ancestor David for all eternity (Isaiah 9:2-7)."

These are words of longing for the rule and reign of God!  Light ... growth ... joy ... harvest ... freedom ... peace ... a Holy Child ... leadership ... perfect counsel ... fairness and justice ... consistency of life throughout eternity.  WOW!  Are these not things worth longing for?  Are these not values that are greater than the petty things we sometimes seek?  As we begin the season of Advent, is this not a Christmas list worthy of a child of the King?  Randy