The Lord himself will give you a sign. Behold, the virgin shall conceive and bear a son, and shall call his name Immanuel. - Isaiah 7:14
Waiting is often uncomfortable. Whether it’s waiting for news from a doctor, waiting for a child to be born, or simply waiting in traffic, most of us would rather move on to the next thing than sit still in the uncertainty of the present moment. Yet Advent is a season built around waiting. It starts with Israel who had waited for centuries, holding on to promises spoken through the prophets. They longed for deliverance, for a Messiah, for Emmanuel—God with us.
We can relate. We know the joy of Christmas already fulfilled in Jesus’ birth, but we also live in a season of waiting. We wait for prayers to be answered. We wait for God’s guidance about decisions. We wait for healing from brokenness, relief from suffering, or reconciliation in strained relationships. On a larger scale, we wait for the return of Christ, when he will make all things new.
But here is the good news of Advent: God does not leave us alone in our waiting. Emmanuel has come, and Emmanuel is with us now. His presence turns waiting into hope. We do not know the precise timing, but we know he always keeps his word. We can be certain he will come.
Isaiah’s promise to King Ahaz (Isaiah 7:14) was not just for a single moment in history; it was part of God’s eternal plan to dwell with his people. That promise culminated in the birth of Jesus, the Son of God who came into our world to share and redeem our lives. Because of Jesus, our Emmanuel, we wait with trust, not fear. We wait in hope, not in despair. We wait in confidence because God is already with us—strengthening, comforting, and guiding us by his word and Spirit.
For what do you wait this Advent? What needs or concerns weigh you down? What longings stir in your heart? Bring them to Emmanuel. In Jesus, God is not distant. He is near. He is with you. And he promises that your waiting is not wasted, for he is working all things together for your good.
Prayer: Lord Jesus, thank you for being with me as I wait. Teach me to trust in your promises, and give me hope that rests in you. Amen.