Waiting out the Countdown...

I wonder if God and the angelic beings had a countdown to Christmas... well, not "Christmas" back then, but a countdown as they anticipated the delivery of the long-awaited Messiah, the one they knew would be the Savior of the world.

Christmas calls for a countdown.

Countdowns require waiting.

Waiting creates anticipation (perhaps patience!).

Kids anticipate opening gifts on Christmas morning. Relatives anticipate family gatherings, a chance to be together for the holidays. Churches participate in the Advent by lighting the candles as they count down the weeks until Christmas. Decorating the tree, putting up lights, baking cookies, listening to Christmas music... it's all about creating the atmosphere of anticipation.

Maybe the most important aspect of countdowns is the waiting, because it's in the waiting that we get ready, we expect something to happen, and we take action in order to be prepared for what is to come. God certainly created an atmosphere in which people were looking for a Messiah. His timing is perfect. He sent Jesus at just the "right time" according to Galatians 4:4.

Dennis and I are in our own countdowns.

Counting down the days till we meet up with all our kids and grandkids in Indianapolis for Christmas. It'll be the first time we have Evee, Stella, and Miles all at once! Talk about anticipation:). Everybody is making plans to come. In fact, Josh and Kari even now are making their way across the U.S. in Stella's first ever road trip. We can't wait to be together!

Then, we are in the final countdown weeks in raising the remainder of our support needs so we can head to Europe. It was so good to see our pie chart go beyond the half way mark two weeks ago. We know that God owns all the resources in the world, and so we trust Him to provide full funding at just the "right time."

Countdowns require waiting... it is in the waiting that our faith grows to trust God for that which we do not yet see. It is in the waiting that we gain hope for what is to come. It is in the waiting that He sharpens our focus and vision for Europe. It is in the waiting that he readies us for what lies ahead. And, it is in the waiting that anticipation grows in making Europe a reality.

In the midst of this Christmas season we are reminded of the countdown that took place over 2,000 years ago. One that produced the greatest gift of all - a Savior for all mankind. And it is with anticipation that we live life because of the life we have in Jesus.