December tends to be a month of great anticipation, especially for children. The excitement building toward Christmas morning becomes more palpable as the month moves on until finally, the day arrives. Little feet pitter-patter through the halls, excited voices loudly whisper to one another after glimpsing the presents under the tree; the aroma of coffee fills the air and adds its empowering pleas for tired parents to get out of bed. And then the morning activities begin. The anticipation reaches its climax, and all are rewarded with joy and appreciation for what is received.
I remember as a child feeling as if December was the longest month on the calendar. It seemed like Christmas Day would never come, and the waiting was simply agonizing. We are not people who like to wait. And yet there is a benefit in the waiting. It allows us to prepare our hearts. Is not that what Advent is all about? Each year we allow ourselves to enter back into a waiting period, into a story whose timeline we know well. Re-entering Advent helps us once again to prepare our hearts for God in the flesh to come into and transform our lives. All the waiting and preparation come to fruition on Christmas morning when we remember that God came to dwell among us. What joy fills our hearts!
Imagine with me the anticipation building each day in Simeon, who was told by the Holy Spirit that he would not die before seeing the Messiah. We all have been in a position of great anticipation, waiting for a promise to be delivered. With each passing day, Simeon wondered when he would meet the Savior. Would a revolution take place, overthrowing the Roman oppression? Would a Priest rise from among the ranks as the promised Messiah? How would it happen? Suddenly, his own Christmas morning comes with the arrival of an unknown couple from Nazareth presenting their child for dedication. Simeon takes hold of this baby, feeling the comfort, joy, and warmth that holding a baby brings, and gazes reverently into the face of his promise. The Messiah has come, and Simeon praises God, “For my eyes have seen your salvation…a light for revelation to the Gentiles, and the glory of your people Israel” (Luke 2:30–32). Can you feel the relief and the joy welling up inside of Simeon? His wait is finally over! I look forward to one day finding Simeon and asking him about that waiting process, what he learned, and what he felt when he held his Messiah in his arms.
As you are aware, the Francis Asbury Society has entered a time of waiting and anticipation. Dr. Ron Smith has accepted the position of president at Ohio Christian University starting January 1. While there is certainly a sense of loss in sending Ron to OCU, we are excited about this strategic position the Lord has opened for him, and we anticipate what the Lord will do with the ongoing partnership between FAS and OCU. We also wait with anticipation to see what new things the Lord will do through new leadership at FAS. Thank you for continuing to support FAS in your prayers and financial gifts as we move forward in the mission God has called us to. We are a society of believers who receive, model, and share God’s transforming love for the world’s redemption.