I hope you all are having a wonderful December, this Christmas season.

This time of year is always full of so much excitement and anticipation. Often, it’s a busier season than most, full of decorating, baking, parties, last-minute shopping and rushed wrapping. It’s a time spent with family and friends, accompanied by nostalgic holiday music and flavors that offer comfort unlike any other time of year.

It is a season marked by the joy of expectation.

As we approach Christmas Day and recall its significance, we can easily forget that the people of God were awaiting Christ long before the day of his birth. Centuries before Jesus’ birth, the Prophet Isaiah prophesied that Christ the Messiah would soon come to earth. Isaiah 7:14 reads, “Therefore the Lord himself will give you a sign: The virgin will conceive and give birth to a son, and will call him Immanuel.” Although it would be hundreds of years before Christ was born, with this prophecy an expectation was awoken. As the Jews awaited the coming of Christ, they embarked upon a longer season of waiting than most of us could wrap our minds around.

While this time of year is full of so much anticipation, many of you may be in a similar season of expectation – something beyond Christmas Day. Whether it be healing, provision or direction from the Lord, you may be in the midst of awaiting God to move in your life right now. We each face these seasons in life, expecting God to show up in our situation. Yet no matter what it is we need at this moment, no matter what you’re waiting for, we are able to live in a world where the Spirit of Christ is with us. The barrier that stood for centuries is broken. It is the beauty of our faith; in the waiting, God is with us.

“For to us a child is born, to us a son is given, and the government will be on his shoulders. And he will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.” Isaiah 9:6

It is always a hectic time of year, and likely most of our calendars quickly fill up. Yet even in the midst of our own needs, let us not forget that this is an opportunity to show Christ to those who may not be able to experience Christmas Day as we know it. It is a season to invite the widows and orphans, those without family and loved ones to celebrate with us and experience the presence of Christ. This is our calling. This is the love that has been poured into us to pour out into others. This is what the Christmas season is all about.

I deeply value each one of you and pray you will have a blessed holiday season. May you all have the most wonderful Christmas this year.