As Christmas draws near, it is understandable why some will not exactly be in a festive mood. There are those who are grappling with loneliness and may choose to work late or offer to take the holiday shift so that they can try to take their minds off their feelings. Some could still be grieving over their deceased loved ones or are coming to terms with their divorce and choose to withdraw from the merry-making rather than pretending that everything is fine with them. There are also others who are experiencing tension in their families or are feeling anxious about their job security. Whatever their reasons are, joy and hope can seem so far away.

In contrast, the Bible’s account of the sentiments surrounding the first Advent reveals that there was this sense of anticipation and yearning amongst individuals who waited for God’s fulfilment of his promises. They could have easily turn into miserly Scrooges given their unfavourable life situations such as living alone, (possibly) receiving little family support and experiencing the fragility and physical deterioration usually associated with old age. Instead, what we see is that their lives were characterised by holy living and devotion to God.

For Simeon who loved Israel and identified with the brokenness of his countrymen, we learn that he had waited for the “consolation of Israel” (Lk 2:25). Although Simeon only saw the infant Jesus, he had faith that this baby was indeed God’s promised Messiah. The arrival of Jesus was sufficient for Simeon and he could now readily face death. There was no need for Simeon to wait until Jesus grows up and rises from the tomb before he will believe that God will accomplish His salvation plan.

Likewise, Anna an eighty-four year old prophetess who remained a widow for a considerable number of years gave thanks to God when she saw Jesus presented at the temple. Instead of wallowing in self-pity and being bitter that her husband had died seven years into their marriage, Anna was able to encourage others who also longed for the return of God (Lk 2:38).

The testimonies of Simeon and Anna become more amazing when we take into consideration how God has remained silent for about 400 years before the coming of Christ. How is it possible for anyone to still wait for God and have faith that God has not forgotten his people when there was no more word from God to his prophets? Furthermore, in the socio-political arena, the Roman Empire had successfully squashed previous Jewish uprisings and the Jewish Temple was a pale shadow of her former glories. As far as most Israelites were concerned, there was no sign that their situation will improve and that Israel will be delivered from her pagan rulers.

But thanks be to God, God’s timing is always perfect! In Galatians 4:4, we are told that “But when the time had fully come, God sent his Son, born of a woman, born under law, to redeem those under law, that we might receive the full rights of sons”. In this season of Advent, let us remember that in the coming of Christ, God demonstrates his grace and shows us that he has never forgotten His promises to His people. God sent His Son because He has not forsaken those of us who rightfully deserves to die for sinning against Him, those who were destined to be eternally separated from him. Indeed, the coming of Jesus is in accordance to God’s sovereign plan so that it will bring God the greatest glory and offer those who humbly wait upon him the greatest joy and comfort to our souls.

Often, worldly goods have a way of distracting us from what should be our ultimate source of joy and hope. After all, that purchase we are looking forward to make with our bonuses, the presents we are eagerly waiting to unwrap or the parties we are having a makeover for all seem to be within our grasp. Admittedly, waiting for someone who seems to operate from a different calendar can be quite a trial.

But just as a child longs for her parents to return from work or a groom waits for the bride to walk down the aisle, I pray that we will cultivate an even deeper yearning for Christ’s presence in our lives and for his Second Coming. And as we do so, may we also remember and find loving ways to reach out to those whom the world has forgotten or even forsaken. Just as Christ came into neighbourhood bringing hope and joy during the first Advent, this season is meant for us to do likewise, following the footsteps of our Lord and Saviour.