by Casey Bonilla
Can you believe that Advent season is already here? I’ll be honest and say it caught me by surprise the other day just how fast it crept up! Advent is the word we use to describe the coming of Christ, both in this celebration of Jesus entering our world, and in anticipation of the day Christ returns.
No matter where you are or what your circumstances are today, I think we can agree that 2020 has been a year unlike any other. For many, it was a year of tremendous loss and suffering. I have seen so many posts on social media saying something along the lines of “Is it 2021 yet? Is 2020 over?”. And trust me, I get it. It’s easy to eagerly look forward to the future, to a new beginning. But as the end of 2020 swiftly approaches, and as the Christmas season begins, I would urge you to remember this: don’t miss it. Don’t spend so much time waiting for the change in calendar that you miss the miracles of today. God hasn’t given up on this year yet, and I hope that you won’t either.
This year has stripped away the facade of so many things in this world and in our lives, and it may not be a bad thing if the same is done with Christmas. Extravagant celebrations focused on gifts and glamour can be traded in for reflections and joyful worship of a God who so loved the world that he sent his only Son as a newborn infant, to live and die for us. Let us celebrate the God who planned our redemption from the very beginning and who promised that Christ will return again. (Disclaimer: I love Christmas just as much as the next gal and don’t think there is anything wrong with decor and cookies galore, so long as Christ remains the focus!).
Don’t miss it. The birth of Christ was one that could have been easily overlooked by the history books. A young girl from a small town, no room for their family at the inn, and a baby with no place to lay but a manger. Without context, this scene looks pretty bleak. But we know the truth: this was a miracle. God can do incredible things with our trust and obedience.
If this is a difficult season for you, I urge you to press in. Seek the Lord each day as we remember the coming of Christ and see what the Lord will reveal to you in this time. Your circumstances may not change, but I am believing that your trust in faith in our Savior will grow tremendously. Use this season to discover (or re-discover) the true wonder of Christmas, and to recognize the humility in Jesus’ life on Earth.
See this Scripture which takes place just after the birth of Christ” “And in the same region there were shepherds out in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night. And an angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were filled with great fear. And the angel said to them, “Fear not, for behold, I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people. For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord. And this will be a sign for you: you will find a baby wrapped in swaddling cloths and lying in a manger.” And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God and saying, “Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace among those with whom he is pleased!” When the angels went away from them into heaven, the shepherds said to one another, “Let us go over to Bethlehem and see this thing that has happened, which the Lord has made known to us.” (Luke 2:8-15).
The Lord made known his miracle to the shepherds. The Lord wants to make Himself known to you too, and I promise if you are looking you will find Him. The future will come in its time, but the Lord is waiting for you today. He holds just as much power right NOW as he will next year, as he always has. “But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well. Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own.” (Matthew 6:33-34).Seek first His kingdom this season. Don’t miss it!
P.s. – If there’s a chance you’re reading this well into the future, the principle remains the same. Don’t spend so much time waiting for what’s next that you miss the possibility of what God can do now.
He Still Does 