The wait is almost over...

     Or, if you’re like me, this year has clipped by so fast you didn’t even have time to begin waiting for Christmas. I simply looked up from my busy schedule and realized, “Christmas is here. Where did the rest of the year go?” While we are still a few weeks out from Christmas, these few weeks will pass quickly, and we will find ourselves on the other side of Christmas promising ourselves, “Next year will be different. I will take time to remember the real meaning of Christmas.”

     Instead of hurrying through the remaining weeks of this year, why not take time now to slow down and honor the true meaning of Christmas, our Lord Jesus Christ? Over the next few weeks, we will take a break from the sermon series in Acts and prepare our hearts for the coming of Christ; His second coming. As we reflect on His first coming and celebrate His birth, life, death, and resurrection, we do so with our gaze toward His return. As the Scripture reminds us in Titus 2:3, we should be people who are waiting for our blessed hope, the appearing of the glory of our great God and Savior Jesus Christ.

    One way you can develop this waiting attitude and worship Christ Jesus over the next few weeks is by taking time to read and reflect on the passages we will study each Sunday. At least once a week gather with your family and read through the passages and briefly discuss the meaning and application of passages before leading your family in prayer. It does not have to be formal or rigidly structured, but spending time together as a family in God’s word will shape your heart and your family in ways only God can.