“The hour has come… to wake from sleep.” Romans 13:11a

When I was four, I was very sick with a severe earache.  I lay awake all night.  My memory of the view from my little bed will be with me forever.  It seemed as though morning would never come.  It was a long, painful night.

It is so hard to wait when we are suffering.

Our world is very sick, not with earache, but with sin.  The pain is almost unbearable.  Every day the news demonstrates the consequences of sin on our Earth, our families and our personal lives.  We desperately need help, and it seems like salvation will never come.  It is a long, painful time.

Advent reminds us that our salvation is near.  Jesus came to save us from our pain and suffering.  “The Lord is not slow in keeping His promise . . . Instead He is patient with you, not wanting anyone to perish, but everyone to come to repentance” (2 Peter 3:9).  We can be confident that our salvation is near.

“And do this, understanding the present time: The hour has already come for you to wake up from your slumber, because our salvation is nearer now than when we first believed” Romans 13:11.

Lord, in your overflowing grace and mercy, fill our hearts that we might share the good news of your love.  As we prepare to celebrate the birth of Jesus, help us to recognize and celebrate how you are present in our lives each and every day. Amen.

Contributed by Cheryl Cole