Faith? Hope?

"A voice cries out: "In the wilderness prepare the way of the LORD, make straight in the desert a highway for our God."  (Isaiah 40:3)
We talked, last week, about "waiting" and how we were at it.  It is a hard thing to do - to wait.  The hardest time is when it is something we really want, have been planning for and, or, are very excited about.  As kids (and sometimes as adults) we would mark off the days on the calendar.  I, personally, can usually give you the exact number of days until I get to see my son and his family.  At least I can once a time for the visit has been established.

Today's reading is Isaiah helping the Hebrew people to know the Messiah is coming.  They will know because a voice will cry "out." (v.3)  We know, because we know the 'rest of the story,' John the Baptist "proclaimed 'the one who is more powerful than I is coming after me;'"  (Mark 4:7)  The thing we don't always think about is there were 700+ years between Isaiah and Jesus' birth and another 30 years before John was proclaiming.  During the wait, during the long years, during all the confusion -- the people had their faith in God.  We, however, have the added advantage of knowing God IS with us because we know the 'rest of the story' and Emmanuel.

During this Advent season we are celebrating and preparing for the "all ready" -- Jesus' birthday and the "not yet" -- Jesus' return.  The question is: are we remembering, and sharing, where we have seen (and felt) God with us?  Especially now, as Caregivers, with all the changes and confusion - are we sharing about how we KNOW God IS with us?  The faith we have gives us the hope we need.