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Thursday, December 20 2007 |
| There was also a prophetess, Anna, the daughter of Phanuel, of the tribe of Asher. She was very old; she had lived with her husband seven years after her marriage, and then was a widow until she was eighty-four. She never left the temple but worshiped night and day, fasting and praying. Coming up to them at that very moment, she gave thanks to God and spoke about the child to all who were looking forward to the redemption of Jerusalem. (Luke 2:36-38 NIV) | Advent is a season of holy waiting. An anticipation of the coming of Christ, Emmanuel, God with us. Anna lived a life of holy waiting. Worshiping, fasting, praying expectantly that God would fulfill his promise to this people. What must that moment have been life for her? She had given her life to one thing, a holy waiting for the Messiah. Finally, at the age of 84, she sees Jesus. And in response, she thanks God and tells others about the baby. What joy she must have known. Finally, she was in his presence. |
“We celebrate you, Jesus. We look upon you and worship. Thank you, Father, for the gift of your son. Thank you for his coming. Thank you that he is coming again. Make us ready, Lord. Amen”In Matthew 25, Jesus tells a story about ten virgins, waiting for their bridegroom. Only five wise virgins are ready, their lamps filled with the oil of the Spirit. Jesus tells his listeners to " keep watch, because you do not know the day or the hour.” Like Anna, we are called to lives of holy waiting. Worshiping, fasting, praying expectantly for his coming. This Christmas, behold Jesus. Thank God. Tell others. And look beyond the manger to the clouds, for he is coming again.
SCRIPTURE FOCUS
Allow this scripture to form and guide your prayers in the coming week:
Now the Lord is the Spirit, and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is freedom. And we, who with unveiled faces all reflect the Lord's glory, are being transformed into his likeness with ever-increasing glory, which comes from the Lord, who is the Spirit..—II Corinthians 3:17-18 (NIV)
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