Advent: The Season of Waiting
Bible Readings
Take a few minutes to read the Bible verses listed and ask the Holy Spirit to lead you in how this verse applies to you this week.
31 But those who trust the Lord will find new strength. They will be strong like eagles soaring upward on wings; they will walk and run without getting tired.
Isaiah 40:31
20 We depend on you, Lord, to help and protect us. 21 You make our hearts glad because we trust you, the only God. 22 Be kind and bless us! We depend on you.
Psalm 33:20-22
Memory Verse
Psalm 37:7
7 Be patient and trust the Lord.
Next week begins a special season called Advent. Advent gives us four weeks to prepare to celebrate the birth of Jesus. Many people light a candle each week and read a special reading. Others mark the time with Advent calendars.
Advent is a season of waiting. Have you ever waited and wished for your birthday? It can feel like a really long wait. Or have you waited for a baby to be born? It takes a very long time for a baby to grow in their mommy.
During Advent, we are waiting and preparing ourselves to celebrate the birth of Jesus. The word advent means waiting upon. We are waiting for the arrival of baby Jesus. Advent waiting isn’t like sitting at a red light, waiting for it to turn green. Advent waiting allows us to trust that God is putting all the pieces together just right. It gives us a chance to watch for God. I like to call it “God-sightings.” How have you seen God today? Maybe you saw his beauty in the design of a single snowflake. Perhaps you felt God’s peace when a stranger smiled at you. As we wait, we trust that God is good and faithful in all things at all times.
Waiting is hard. Most of us don’t like to wait for our turn, wait in line, or wait for our friends to text us back.
But waiting tells God that we trust him to be God. We let go of being in control and say, “Okay, God, you know best. Help me get ready for what you are going to do.”
Prayer
Heavenly Father, we are so thankful that your rescue plan included us by sending your one and only Son to be born among people to set us all free. As we enter this special waiting time, help me trust you more. Help me be patient when I want things now. Give me “God-sightings” to see your peace and hope all around me. Thank you for bringing your light into the world. AmenRelated Resources
Holly Sperling
Holly Sperling teaches grade 2 at Edmonton Christian School in Edmonton, Alberta. She loves journeying with children and their families to discover God’s redemptive love and role in His story. Holly and her husband, Burke have a blended family of five, enjoying being grandparents and are attempting to train their very active Pyrenees Poodle.