Anticipation

This past weekend was quite enjoyable and relaxing. I went to 2 Christmas parties, babysat and Christmas shopped with those kids, and watched "The Family Stone."  But what I loved MOST about my weekend was Youth Sunday School with my 6th grade girls. We talked about God's holiness and His grace in sending His Son to Earth.  We have to look at Christmas with Easter in sight. That was the reason behind it all - Love.  Sunday School for my age group was followed up with Micah 5:2, which relates to what I have to share today!

This was what I read this morning:

"Anticipation of the joy of Christmas morning is not new. The first Christmas, when the greatest Gift of all was given, was marked by an anticipation that had stretched across the centuries. The people of Israel had anticipated the coming of a Redeemer/Rescuer for centuries. In fact, ever since the fall of our first parents in Eden's garden, there was a longing for the promised 'seed' of woman who would come and crush our spiritual enemy (Gen. 3:15). As time marched on, Old Testament singers and sages, prophets and priets, kings and generals spoke of the Messiah who would come and deliver God's people. And still they waited."

^{1 [}Marshal your troops now, city of troops,
   for a siege is laid against us.
They will strike Israel’s ruler
   on the cheek with a rod.
 ² “But you, Bethlehem Ephrathah,
   though you are small among the clans of Judah,
out of you will come for me
   one who will be ruler over Israel,
whose origins are from of old,
   from ancient times.”
 ³ Therefore Israel will be abandoned
   until the time when she who is in labor bears a son,
and the rest of his brothers return
   to join the Israelites.
 ⁴ He will stand and shepherd his flock
   in the strength of the LORD,
   in the majesty of the name of the LORD his God.
And they will live securely, for then his greatness
   will reach to the ends of the earth.
 ⁵ And he will be our peace
   when the Assyrians invade our land
   and march through our fortresses.
We will raise against them seven shepherds,
   even eight commanders,

Micah 5: 1-5

Beautiful anticipation! Thankful for the Messiah that came.. and we no longer have to wait.. He has come, and He has risen, and He will come again!

This is my life!...