My grandmother loved Christmas – so much so her artificial tree was up and decorated by October. As we entered her home on Christmas Day, the smell of turkey, green beans and yeast rolls wafted throughout the house while the loveliest Christmas songs played on their record player and perfectly wrapped packages waited under the tree. When it was time for gifts, the kids knew exactly what to expect: a $100 savings bond. While that wasn’t the most exciting gift, the bonds symbolized a promise of something to come and my brother and I would talk about what we would do with that $100 when we were able to cash it in. It created an anticipation that was almost too much for a child to bear.
The season of Advent is all about celebrating the gift of our Savior coming to earth as well as anticipating and preparing our hearts for him to return one day. With this promise of the coming King, we can wait patiently and confidently by staying busy doing the work of the Lord and fulfilling his plans for us here on earth! These eternal investments will keep us occupied and make us more confident about seeing him when he returns while paying dividends for ALL OF ETERNITY!