Read the transcript from today's video devotional.
What is something you're greatly anticipating? Something you're waiting on and praying for? Is there a situation or relationship in your life that needs a breakthrough? You're not alone. I think we could all use a big dose of hope right now. In a world that feels unpredictable and full of conflict and hopelessness, it takes a great deal of courage to wait expectantly.
Psalm chapter 130, verse 5 says, “I wait for the LORD, my whole being waits, and in His word I put my hope.”
Does your whole being need to encounter lasting hope?
The Ancient Art of Waiting
The Jewish people knew something about waiting. For centuries through exile, oppression, and silence, they carried the promise of God in their hearts. Generation after generation held on to the prophetic words about a coming Messiah, a deliverer who would restore their fortunes and establish God's kingdom. Some waited with fervent expectation. Others with growing doubt. And many wondered if God had forgotten His promises altogether.
Yet through it all, a remnant continued to watch and wait, keeping the flame of hope alive even in the darkest seasons. Their long vigil reminds us that God's timing is not our timing, but His faithfulness spans generations. What seemed like delay was actually divine preparation—preparing hearts, preparing the world, preparing the perfect moment for the Word to become flesh.
An Invitation to Journey Together
Join us over the next 28 days as we wait expectantly for the Lord during this season. Our anticipation is going to grow as we journey to the manger alongside biblical figures who were desperate for God's divine intervention. Together, we'll discover what the expectation of Jesus's birth might have meant for them—people who had inherited centuries of longing—what it meant for the world, and what it means for us today.
From the prophets who foretold His coming to Mary and Joseph who trusted God's plan, from the shepherds who heard the angels sing to the wise men who followed the star, and the innkeeper who made room—each person played a pivotal role in the unfolding of God's promise. Their lives, woven together across generations and circumstances, form a tapestry of faith, obedience, and wonder.
This tapestry reminds us that the Christmas story is not just about a moment in history, but about how God works through ordinary people to fulfill extraordinary purposes. Each thread, each life, adds depth and meaning to the story of Jesus. And in this story, we find our place too.
Hope for Every Heart
The Christmas story is for all of us. Whether Christmas is painful for you or it's your favorite holiday of the year. Throughout this series, you'll experience the tangible grace of Jesus, wrapping you in comfort and giving you expectant hope. Jesus changed the course of history, and He can infuse our present reality with a love that reaches into the broken places and fulfills our deepest need.
He is the Word made flesh. The long-awaited Messiah. The good news. The yes of Christmas. As we enter this sacred season, let's draw near to the heart of God and witness the unfolding of the greatest gift ever given. You're invited to bring your hurts and questions, your longings and dreams, and to discover how people just like us were transformed by the promised child.
So come expectantly. Let's journey to the manger together and witness the wonder of this season through the eyes of those who had a front row seat to Jesus's glorious birth.
