WAITING IS A HOLIDAY TRADITION

 

Wednesday, November 27, 2024

 

WAITING IS A HOLIDAY TRADITION

 

CHRISTMAS: CHRIST’S FIRST COMING

 

Luke 2:25-26

25 And, behold, there was a man in Jerusalem, whose name was Simeon; and the same man was just and devout, waiting for the consolation of Israel: and the Holy Ghost was upon him.

26 And it was revealed unto him by the Holy Ghost, that he should not see death, before he had seen the Lord's Christ.

 

          Wise men were waiting a coming king of Israel. Shepherds were waiting the dawning of morning when all of heaven burst into the first Christmas carol. Simeon was waiting for consolation, which is the same Greek word that Jesus used when He promised the Holy Spirit. It is paraklesis and means solace and comfort.

 

EASTER: JESUS’ RESURRECTION

 

Luke 24:2-6

2 And they found the stone rolled away from the sepulchre.

3 And they entered in, and found not the body of the Lord Jesus.

4 And it came to pass, as they were much perplexed thereabout, behold, two men stood by them in shining garments:

5 And as they were afraid, and bowed down their faces to the earth, they said unto them, Why seek ye the living among the dead?

6 He is not here, but is risen:

 

          Weary and grieving, they came to the tomb to find it empty. They ran to the men who were waiting for they knew not what. They feared that they might be waiting for their own extermination. Low in the grave, He lay. Up from the grave He arose!

 

NOW: WAITING FOR HIS RETURN

 

2 Thess 3:5

5 And the Lord direct your hearts into the love of God, and into the patient waiting for Christ.

 

          Tomorrow is a day of Thanksgiving, and some await the glad reunion of family and the joyful gathering of friends.

 

1 John 3:2

2 Beloved, now are we the sons of God, and it doth not yet appear what we shall be: but we know that, when he shall appear, we shall be like him; for we shall see him as he is.