December 13 Advent Devotion Written by Charles Conkin

Trisha Huffman | December 13, 2015

A few years ago as Michelle and I were expecting the birth of our first child, a good friend of mine told me something I will never forget. He said, “Much of the events in life do not live up to the hype. There are times we have great anticipation but are never satisfied. The birth of your child is not one of those times. Nothing can explain the great joy you will have at the moment you hold your child.”

I was so excited to be in that moment in the delivery room and was unsure of what to expect. But my friend was right on. Holding Evelyn for the first time was the greatest joy in my life. A moment of understanding of unconditional love. I felt completely tied to another person. I was responsible for this child, through creation and nurture.

Experiencing that moment made it so much harder going through a miscarriage last winter. An experience absent of any joy. After a long time of reflection after our loss, I realized much of my grief was not over the physical loss. I was grieving the loss of all the hopes I had. I could not dream what this new child would be named. No dreams of how he might learn, walk and play. No hopes for how she could do great things to change lives. All the possibilities vanished.

In the book of Isaiah, the Israelites are sitting in the same situation. There is no hope. There is no sign that peace will be restored and joy returned. Their doom is near. Which makes it so powerful that Isaiah shares a song of thanksgiving. After chapters of Isaiah explaining the hope and peace coming soon. After the promise of the Immanuel and prophecies of a better world. After a long time of waiting and anticipating salvation. Isaiah tells the people of Jerusalem that when the day comes, life will flow back into the people. And all people will sing a song of joy and thanksgiving to the Lord.

This Advent we wait in great anticipation for the coming of the Messiah. For all the peace and love that he brings. For the hope of a new way of living. This Advent my family and I wait in great anticipation for our second child, due in February. A hope that has sat with us for a long time. And on that day we will sing with great joy …

Surely God is my salvation;

I will trust, and will not be afraid,

for the Lord God is my strength and my might;

he has become my salvation.

With joy you will draw water from the wells of salvation.

And you will say on that day:

Give thanks to the Lord,

call on his name;

make known his deeds among the nations;

proclaim that his name is exalted.

Sing praises to the Lord, for he has done gloriously;

let this be known in all the earth.

Shout aloud and sing for joy, O royal Zion,

for great in your midst is the Holy One of Israel.

— Isaiah 12:2-6