“For to us a child is born, to us a son is given; and the government shall be upon His shoulder, and His name shall be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.” – Isaiah 9:6


Sometimes, the best surprises are the ones you know are coming...you just don’t know when. Sure, it can be fun and exciting to be surprised by something completely unexpected (unless you’re like me, which, in that case, sounds like your absolute worst nightmare). But when you’re expecting something big to come at some point in the future, the anticipation becomes almost unbearable! Especially around this time of year when we ask for the exact gifts we want, our expectations can make it feel like Christmas Day will never get here.


The Christmas season brings a lot of expectations with it. We expect things like certain gifts, an incredible Christmas dinner, or even a little bit of snow. But imagine waiting hundreds of years for something you knew was coming. On top of that, what you’re expecting is much more valuable than anything you would ever dream of asking for. And to really seal the deal, God Himself promised to give it to you. Can you feel the anticipation, suspense, and excitement?


Read Isaiah 9:6 and take a moment to rework what you’re expecting this Christmas. This verse was a prophecy made hundreds of years before Jesus was born. Through Isaiah, God showed His people what to expect when His Son would one day come to live among them. This expectation is a huge part of what Christmas is all about.


So what are you expecting this year? If you could make a list of the things you’re expecting this Christmas, what would it look like? Where on your list would you find the aspects of
our faith that are so important to this time of year – things like hope, joy, peace, and, most of all, a Savior? As we get closer and closer to Christmas Day, let the expectation of our Savior’s impending arrival create a different kind of excitement in your heart. An excitement that goes beyond gifts and instead awaits the One who will make all things right.



QUESTIONS:


Imagine if today, someone promised to give you something spectacular, but years and years go by, and you still don't have it. How would you start to feel? What would you do?


How has God come through on His promises in your life before? Does this affect what you expect Him to do in the future?