They predicted it. The weatherman announced that snow would fall on south Texas soil by midnight. But would that become true, we wondered? These skies had not seen ice falling in 13 years.
The announcement of the coming of snow left the city waiting in anticipation. We sat by windows and doors in wonder and expectation. When would the forecasted and anticipated white flakes begin falling like feathers from the heavens? Was south Texas prepared for what was to come? Would it last or melt quickly?
The anticipation grew stronger as the night drew on.
The anticipation of snow was perfect for this advent season. This season of waiting. A coming of snow to the south. And a coming of a precious Messiah to be born and celebrated. Christmas miracles!
I’ve never participated in this physical counting of the coming — the Advent — the Latin for coming. But my soul longed for this tradition — my heart yearned to anticipate the birth of the Savior each day in December. 24 days until Christmas counted down to just 5 as I read devotionals, lit candles and observed an Advent calendar. Anticipation and expectation in awe and wonder of what the season was truly about. Not boxes, packages, and bags, but the Messiah, the Christ, the newborn Savior.
Prior to Jesus birth, the world had not heard from God for 400 years. Not a word had God uttered as he sat quiet in the heavens. But the world anticipated the King’s coming. Generation after generation scriptures were passed down prophesying the Messiah’s coming. The people longed for his coming. They anticipated. They waited.
“Therefore the Lord himself will give you a sign: The virgin will be with child and will give birth to a son, and you will call him Immanuel.” (Isaiah 7:14)
This coming — Advent.
I can only imagine how they waited for this Christ child who would dwell among the people. If their excitement was anything like all of south Texas waiting for snowfall, neighbors milled about the neighborhoods talking about the moment to come. The thrill of the wait took over their conversations and activities.
As we anticipated, all the days worries and struggles were put to rest. People sat with their heads raised towards the heavens waiting for the icy manna — what is it — to fall. They waited for the miraculous.
The miraculous is here.
Whether you saw snow fall upon south Texas or not, the miracle of Christmas is here. Thousands of years later, we still look to the heavens and gaze at the stars and retell the birth story of our Savior. Miraculous this story, no longer a prophecy, as it’s passed from generation to generation.
Miraculous that this newborn King was born in a manger.
Miraculous that He chose to leave the heavens to live with and among us.
Miraculous that our King came for the down-and-outs and not the perfect.
Miraculous that He came knowing his impending sacrifice for all.
Miraculous that this Messiah longs to have us enter his heavcnly home.
Advent and Anticipation is not over.
The longing for his coming is now a second coming. While we celebrate a tradition of Advent in slowing our days to count down and anticipate the true meaning of Christ-mas, another coming is being spoken of.
Through scripture, generation after generation, we share this hope of the coming of Christ to take us home with him. The anticipation of his coming should cause us to slow our days, visit with neighbors, and share the prophecy’s with others.
“And then at last, the sign that the Son of Man is coming will appear in the heavens, and there will be deep mourning among all the peoples of the earth. And they will see the Son of Man coming on the clouds of heaven with power and great glory.” (Matthew 24:30)
The whole world waits still in anticipation of His coming.
This advent.
