The Sign

"Therefore the Lord himself will give you a sign: The virgin will be with child and will give birth to a son, and will call him Immanuel," (Isaiah 7:14 NIV).

 Advent is a time of waiting patiently for what we hope for: baby Jesus, the promised One, a Savior. As a child there is so much excitement during this season. Presents are under the tree. There are bright lights and shiny bows, nativity sets and tinsel. All the senses are sharpened as Christmas Day draws near. The fragrance of a pine tree or cookies baking in the oven fills the air. Christmas music plays in the background.  The touch of special ornaments as they are hung on the tree and the taste of peppermint candy canes is on the lips and tongue. Christmas is coming.

Although as believers we know we are saved by Jesus Christ, yet Paul writes in Romans that salvation is past, present and the future. My NIV Life Application Study Bible explains Romans 8:24-25 that we were saved at the moment we believed in Jesus Christ as our Savior (the past), and we are being saved through the process of sanctification (the present), and one day our salvation will be complete when we are made pure as Jesus Christ (the future).

"But hope that is seen is no hope at all. Who hopes for what he already has? But if we hope for what we do not yet have, we wait for it patiently," (Romans 8:24b-25 NIV).

Christmas is coming. Let us watch for the sign and see it coming. Let us rejoice in the salvation that Jesus Christ brought into this world, gives to this world, and will give to all believers in the future when He comes again. Amen.