Scripture Reference: Isaiah 7:14; 9:6; 40:31; Luke 1:39-45

Heavenly Father, we praise You and thank You for Your faithfulness. With the Advent season upon us, we are waiting with anticipation for the coming of Christmas. We are decorating our homes, busy with cards and lists; and our kitchens are filled with smells of Christmas as we prepare for the celebration of the coming Christ Child. We wait, as did Your people of long ago. Years before the birth of Christ, You promised a Savior who would take away the sins of the world. The book of Isaiah predicts His birth in chapter 7. "Therefore the Lord Himself will give you a sign; Behold, the virgin shall conceive and bear a Son, and shall call His name Immanuel." From chapter 9 Isaiah tells of His birth, "For unto us a child is born, unto us a Son is given; and the government shall be upon His shoulder, and His name will be called Wonderful, Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace." Father, Your people waited with anticipation for the coming of the Christ Child. They counted You faithful, and knew in their hearts that You would accomplish what You had promised. They believed in the promise, and in Your timing You did send the Savior into the world. We are blessed to live on this side of the cross, knowing without doubt that You fulfilled Your promise by sending Your Son. This precious Christ Child, born of the virgin Mary, is Your gift to us at Christmas. We wait, knowing how many days we have left to prepare. Father, Your ancient people didn’t know how many days were left to prepare. Again Isaiah reassures us with the words You gave him, "But those who wait on the Lord shall renew their strength, they shall mount up with wings like eagles, they shall run and not be weary, they shall walk and not faint." Father, as we prepare our hearts for the coming of the King, we pray for a new awareness of His presence. We pray for the touch of Your hand on this congregation of people, that we might feel the peace and joy that only comes from The Christ. May our hearts be the manger that holds the Christ Child, and as a mother feels the movement of the baby in her womb, may we feel the movement of the Holy Spirit within us. May we leap for joy in His presence, as the child did in Elizabeth’s womb. We pray in His holy name, AMEN!