Expectations

As we near the end of the first week of Advent, the week of HOPE, I thought I'd share something from the first week of one of my favorite Advent books, He Shall Be Called Jesus.

Expectations

Matthew 1:22-23

“Hey! Something really awesome is coming soon. Get ready!” What would you think?  How would you prepare? You may believe it, but you might be cynical and say, “Oh sure, whatever.” Chances are, this has happened and it was different than expected. Maybe worse, maybe better, but different.

Yesterday, we talked about the prophecies. How would this Messiah save them? Where and when would this powerful King be born? Many speculated about him. Would he come with a big Army to overcome their oppressors? How would he overcome the wrongs? When? Somehow, a little baby born in an animal’s feed trough in an obscure little town just wasn’t quite what many wanted, or even imagined.

God works in mysterious ways. You have heard this many times. He provides in ways we can’t imagine at times. We might even argue! Yet we discover something, perhaps insight, or a new direction. He may inspire you to action. This change may be for your benefit or God could be using you for someone else. The challenge for you today is to be open to what God has in store for you, even things you never expected.

All this took place to fulfill what the Lord had said through the prophet:

"The virgin will be with child and will give birth to a son, and they will call him Emmanuel" which means, "God with us."

Matthew 1:22-23

What is Advent? 

from the book  

He Shall Be Called Jesus,  
which looks at the entire

 life of Jesus Christ, 
through the Advent lenses 
of hope, peace, joy, and love.

newly updated in 2012