Longing for Christ's Return 12/19/21

I have a confession to make. My Spotify library is full of all types of the Christmas music ranging from contemporary versions of classic carols/hymns to the traditional choral versions. Listening to all these different types and styles of Christmas music has several affects on me during this time of the year. First, the Christmas music helps me transition seasons and build the anticipation of time with family, special events and the close of another year. Secondly, it is really hard for me to have a "bah humbug" attitude like a grinch when my ears are filled wonderful classic Christmas carols singing of hope and joy. Thirdly, most importantly and without fail, God uses these songs to stir my soul for Jesus, adjusting my focus from the temporal to the eternal.

My favorite Christmas hymn, O Come, O Come Emmanuel has this beautiful and haunting melody that runs through the hymn. It focuses on Israel's deep longing of the Messiah as it brings the second coming of Jesus to the forefront of our hearts. I am reminded of those who waited with great longing for the Messiah in the Old Testament, the excitement of those in the Gospel accounts at the birth of Christ, and the living hope we have in Christ as we wait on His second return. We face all types of distractions during the Christmas season and our lives are filled with busyness and all that comes with it. How many times do we give our souls rest to long for Jesus? We live in a broken world, but for us we have a living hope (1 Peter 3:3-9) and a promise that one day all of the brokenness will be no more (Rev. 214).

How can you create space in the busyness of this season to turn your heart-longing to the return of Christ?

O come, Thou Dayspring, from on high And cheer us by Thy drawing night; Disperse the gloomy clouds of night, And death's dark shadows put to flight. Rejoice! Rejoice! Emmanuel Shall com to thee, O Israel

O come, Thou Key of David, come And open wide our heavenly home; Make safe the way that leads on high, And close the path to misery. Rejoice! Rejoice! Emmanuel Shall come to thee, O Israel.

Grace and Peace, Matthew