DAY ONE

Day One

Christmas is coming! Christmas is coming! Something happens inside us when a special event is on the calendar. We think about it. We talk about it. We get excited for it. We prepare for it.

Over and over again, through the voice of his prophets, God had promised to send the Messiah. But for 400 years, no prophets were speaking in Israel. This made waiting hard. How do you keep anticipation alive in your heart when nothing spiritually significant seems to be happening year after year after year?

When John the Baptist was born, a message from God came with him. John would prepare the way for the Lord. He was like a save-the-date for Jesus.

“Get ready! Something good is upon us. The Messiah is coming.”

His message of hope re-awakened the people of God. When John started preaching, the people knew Messiah’s coming was on the calendar. Everyone started talking about it. They began looking for it and preparing for it. Hope surged within their hearts once more, and their faith was rekindled. They realized that God had not abandoned them; the Messiah was indeed on his way, and God was faithfully keeping his promise.

God has a message of hope for you today. Christmas is your reminder that God sees you. He loves you and has not forgotten you. Christmas is also your invitation to believe – God keeps his promises, and he will keep his promises to you.

So, open your heart to God. Give him access to your faith. Allow him to fill you with anticipation of his goodness because he who promised is faithful. (Hebrews 10:23)

As you wait for this Christmas, remember that Jesus has come. And because you know he is coming again, hope is on your calendar. The day of rescue, the day of comfort, the day of provision for every need is near.

Prayer

Jesus, you have put hope on my calendar. Help me anticipate all you have promised to bring into my life. Re-awaken my heart and renew my faith as I wait on you.