Synopsis: The angels appear to shepherds who were out watching their flocks, possibly at a time of year when lambs would be born (they were literally waiting and watching for new life). In their culture, shepherds were dishonest, and they were unclean. They were outcasts and social pariahs. The typical OT birth announcement starts: an […]

Synopsis: A census was being taken, which meant that Joseph had to go to Bethlehem. A census didn’t mean showing up and saying, “Here!” It meant they had to pay money. Joseph’s got a not-pregnant-by-him fiancée close to giving birth, and now he has to pay for a trip to Bethlehem and then pay a […]

Synopsis: Zechariah and Elizabeth were devout followers of God: one a priest and the other a descendant of Aaron. Despite their adherence, they were never blessed with children (commonly viewed as being favored by God in their culture). Zechariah is given the once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to serve in the Holy Place of the temple. While there, […]

Jesus’ first Advent was prophesied about, but then time marched on. Eve even thought Cain might be the Messiah. Jesus came and fulfilled prophecy and opened heaven for humans as his gift, to allow us to join life with the Trinity. Then he went back to heaven, and we wait for him to come again. […]

While We Wait: Give Thanks When things are going well, we may begin to believe that we are enjoying the life and success we are due for our hard work, wise decision making, focused attention, and careful planning and execution. However, when days of desperation come, we may become depressed and discouraged. If we’ve given […]

While We Wait: Isaiah Isaiah says that we can renew our strength as we wait. We can build relationships while we wait—relationships with each other and with God. We can develop patience, and we can follow the wisdom and avoid the pitfalls of the patriarchs of Scripture, learning from them what is wise to do […]

While We Wait: David This week, some were pained by the election, and others were relieved. Regardless of who won, we know they will have some successes and some failures in our currently broken world. How long can we wait for things to be different, and what do we do while we wait? David was […]

While We Wait: Daniel Taken captive in a foreign land, out of his element, not clear as to his future, with more unknowns than a pandemic, Daniel prayed. He prayed so regularly, so faithfully, so consistently that it was the only way to get him in trouble with the king by crafty fellow statesmen. While […]

While We Wait: Moses There’s the temptation to run ahead. Moses knows his story: from basket boat to royalty! He craves justice for his people, so he takes things into his own hands and commits murder. But it was witnessed. He flees to Midan, and for forty years each morning he cares for sheep. Finally, […]

While We Wait: Joseph Genesis 39:20-23 Things can seem tough. We can do the right thing and still have things not work out. We can and will be treated unjustly. Joseph was sold by his brothers and unjustly imprisoned. Joseph had no idea if his wait in jail would be days, years, or decades. What […]