The painting “Generations Waited for what We Look Back and Celebrate” by E. John Walford.  Imagine hoping and dreaming for the birth of the Messiah.  What must the prophets and their congregations thought? As they boldly spoke the word of the Lord, dreams and hope were stirred.  What king of Messiah would he be?  When would he come?

I feel those questions now as I ponder what they must have thought.  Surely there were many who thought, “we will not die until we have seen the Lord’s Messiah.”  The old Simeon thought so and was rewarded when he held in his arms the infant Christ.  The infant was fully God and fully man.  Imagine holding God in your arms.

I was a young college student when a professor of mine reminded that we look back to what so many for centuries had anticipated.  This Christmas season, I give thanks for you and for the generations who Celebrate what a marvelous work our God has done for us in Christ.

“A voice said, “Shout!”  I asked, “What should I shout?”  “Shout that people are like the grass.  Their beauty fades as quickly as the flowers in a field. … O Zion, messenger of good news, shout from the mountaintops! Shout it louder, O Jerusalem. Shout, and do not be afraid.  Tell the towns of Judah, “Your God is coming!”  yes, the Sovereign Lord is coming in power.  He will rule with a powerful arm.  See, he brings his reward with him as he comes.  He will feed his flock like a shepherd.  he will carry the lambs in his arms, holding them close to his heart.  He will gently lead the mother sheep with their young.” Isaiah 40:1-11 (NLT)