advent Archives - Sharla Fritz

Advent Waiting: Waiting With Gladness

Sharla December 17, 2019

Advent is a waiting season. A time of waiting for Jesus.

Two thousand years ago, the nation of Israel was waiting for the fulfillment of the promises for a Savior. They had been waiting for thousands of years. But there was one man who probably was waiting more expectantly than anyone else:

Now there was a man in Jerusalem, whose name was Simeon, and this man was righteous and devout, waiting for the consolation of Israel, and the Holy Spirit was upon him. And it had been revealed to him by the Holy Spirit that he would not see death before he had seen the Lord’s Christ. (Luke 2:25-26)

We assume Simeon was old because death was on his mind. But God had made a very specific promise to him–he would not die before he had seen the Messiah. Perhaps every day, he woke up thinking, “Is today the day?”

Then one day the Holy Spirit moved him to go to the temple courts. It “happened” to be the day that Mary and Joseph were bringing the baby Jesus to the temple to be circumcised.

When Simeon saw this humble couple, he (like the prophetess Anna) recognized their young son as the Messiah. He went up to them, took the baby Jesus in his arms and said,

Lord, now you are letting your servant depart in peace,
    according to your word;
for my eyes have seen your salvation
  that you have prepared in the presence of all peoples,
a light for revelation to the Gentiles,
    and for glory to your people Israel.

(Luke 2:29-32)

Simeon’s wait was over. he had seen the Savior.

When we are waiting–waiting for a husband, a child, a job–let’s remember that our most excruciating wait is over. God has sent the Savior! We no longer have to feel the burden of sin. We no longer have to drown in guilt and shame. Jesus came to the world, died in our place, and rose in victory.

When we are waiting, let's remember that our most excruciating wait is over. God has sent the Savior! Share on X

Yes, I might still complain when I’m waiting for healing, waiting to see my grandchildren, waiting for my coffee order at Starbucks. But even while I’m waiting, I can rejoice that the worst wait is over.

The Light of the world has come. He has entered the world and my heart. And no matter what else happens in this crazy world, I know that I, like Simeon, can depart in peace. And because of that I can rejoice.

Next step: If you do not know for sure that you are going to heaven, I assure you that Christ died and rose for you too. If you would like to experience God’s love and forgiveness, simply pray this prayer:

Father in heaven, I realize that I am a sinner and fall short of what You want for my life. I know that I cannot save myself or earn eternal life. Thank You for sending Jesus to die for me. Because of His death and resurrection, You have made me alive for eternity. Help me to turn from my sins and follow You. Thank You for the gift of faith in Your Son, Jesus, my Savior and for the assurance of eternal life with You. In Jesus’ name I pray, Amen.

If you would like to learn more about waiting well, check out my new eBook: 7 Words Your Soul Needs in a Waiting Season.

In it, you will discover seven words that can mean wait. Seven words that can give hope and purpose in the middle of delay. Seven words your soul needs in a waiting season.

It’s FREE! Just sign up for my encouraging Soul Rest newsletter and you will receive this devotional eBook with seven lessons on waiting, plus beautiful graphics of my favorite waiting Scriptures that you can print and frame.

Advent Waiting: Waiting in God’s Grace

Sharla December 10, 2019

Advent is a season of waiting. We remember the world’s long wait for a Savior and we anticipate Jesus’ second return.

Often we focus more on the remembering part. Advent means setting up manger scenes, sending out Christmas cards with pictures of Baby Jesus, and singing carols about Christ’s birth. But let’s not forget to prepare for Jesus’ second coming.

The Story of the Ten Bridesmaids

Jesus told a story to encourage His disciples to be prepared and ready for His return.

The characters in the story are ten bridesmaids who are waiting for the bridegroom to take them to the wedding feast. It’s evening and they all have brought lamps to light their procession through the dark city streets. The bridegroom is delayed. All ten of the bridesmaids get drowsy and fall asleep. In the middle of the night, the bridegroom finally comes. His delay was so long that all of their lamps have gone out.

Five of the bridesmaids are prepared for this problem. They have brought extra oil. In a moment, their lamps are relit. The other bridesmaids are forced to go to the oil sellers and cannot go with the bridegroom. Later, when they arrive at the feast, they are not allowed in. (Matthew 25:1-13)

Through the story, Jesus reminds us all that we need to rely on the oil of His grace as we wait for His return.

Waiting is Not a Waste of Time

When I put myself in the story, I think my reaction as one of the bridesmaids would have been, “What is taking this guy so long? Doesn’t he realize my time is important? I could be doing something significant. Instead, I’m just sitting here!”

But maybe, a wiser bridesmaid would have gently reminded me, “But waiting here is exactly what we are supposed to be doing. Waiting for the bridegroom is our role. It is an honor to be chosen as a member of the bridal party. When we get to the amazing feast the Bridegroom is preparing, we won’t even remember the agony of the wait. The love of the Bridegroom is worth waiting for.”

If you are in a waiting season–waiting for healing, waiting for a solution to a problem, waiting for an answer to prayer–remember that even when waiting seems like a waste of time, waiting is often our role as God’s chosen people. During that delay, the Holy Spirit teaches us patience, hope, and trust.

When waiting seems like a waste of time, remember that during the delay, the Holy Spirit teaches us patience, hope, and trust. Share on X

So while you are waiting–waiting for help, healing, and Christ’s return–wait in the strength of God’s grace. Don’t let your lamp go out. Find a fresh supply of the oil that fuels your faith in the means of grace: God’s Word and the Lord’s Supper.

Next step: Find encouragement in the words of Psalm 27:14, “Wait for the Lord; be strong, and let your heart take courage; wait for the Lord!” Post those words somewhere you’ll notice them often today and when you read them, remember that waiting is the privilege of the chosen bridesmaid!

If you would like to learn more about waiting well, check out my book: Waiting: A Bible Study on Patience, Hope, and Trust.

The book studies the lives of:

Sarah
Hannah
The Widow of Zarapheth
Esther
Anna
The Woman with a 12-year Hemorrhage
Martha
Ten Virgins

Through their examples, we find hope for the delays in our lives. We learn how to wait well.

Find the book on Amazon or CPH.org

Advent Waiting: Waiting Without Preconceptions

Sharla December 3, 2019

Advent is a season of waiting. A time of anticipation. A period of preparation.

For many in our culture, the preparation for Christmas is limited to planning get-togethers and buying gifts. Children anticipate opening those gifts. Everyone is waiting for holiday programs, plays, and parties.

But for believers in Christ, Advent also means waiting for His coming. It is a season of remembering the long wait of the world for the coming of a Savior and a time of anticipating His second return.

In Scripture, we read many stories of waiting. Sarah, Hannah, and Rachel were among the women who experienced long periods of delay before they were blessed with babies. Joseph waited years in a lonely prison. The Children of Israel waiting 400 years to be released from Egyptian slavery.

Anna’s Waiting Story

In the New Testament, we read another story of waiting. Anna was waiting for the Savior:

And there was a prophetess, Anna, the daughter of Phanuel, of the tribe of Asher. She was advanced in years, having lived with her husband seven years from when she was a virgin, and then as a widow until she was eighty-four. She did not depart from the temple, worshiping with fasting and prayer night and day. And coming up at that very hour she began to give thanks to God and to speak of him to all who were waiting for the redemption of Jerusalem. (Luke 2:36-38)

This dedicated woman of God only gets three verses in the Bible, but her story gives us so much wisdom for our seasons of waiting.

Even though Anna was “advanced in years” she was one of only two people who recognized that the infant son of two Galilean peasants was the Messiah. During Anna’s lifetime, most of the nation of Israel was waiting for a savior, but they were expecting one that would save them from the tyranny of Rome. A powerful political leader. Not a helpless baby.

Perhaps Anna recognized the infant as the Son of God because she didn’t have preconceived expectations. Instead, she was open to God’s ideas. She didn’t insist on her own vision or plan. She knew God often works in mysterious ways.

Waiting Without Expectations

God invites me to be like Anna when I’m in a waiting season. To let go of my own expectations. To stop insisting on my own way.

When I let go of my preconceived, self-made plans that I am more able to recognize God design for my life. It’s then I’m able to wait with a bit more patience because I realize that the delay might be part of the plan.

Anna was waiting for the Savior. You, also, may be waiting for rescue. Rescue from a desperate financial situation or from an impossible-looking health crisis.

One thing you can do in this waiting period is to let go of your expectations and preconceived ideas about how God should answer your prayers. Reaffirm your trust in a loving Father who always knows best.

Let go of your preconceived ideas about how God should answer your prayers. Reaffirm trust in His plans. Share on X

Next step: Write a prayer, giving God all of your self-made plans and preconceived ideas about what is best. Tell Him you trust His wisdom and His goodness.

If you would like to learn more about waiting well, check out my book: Waiting: A Bible Study on Patience, Hope, and Trust.

The book studies the lives of:

Sarah
Hannah
The Widow of Zarapheth
Esther
Anna
The Woman with a 12-year Hemorrhage
Martha
Ten Virgins

Through their examples, we find hope for the delays in our lives. We learn how to wait well.

Find the book on Amazon or CPH.org

What Child is This: Enthroning Christ

Sharla December 11, 2018

On Christmas Day at our church, we have a traditional carol-sing. During this time, members of the congregation can request any Advent or Christmas song found in the hymn book. We all love this tradition and look forward to it every year.

If no one calls out “What Child is This?” I raise my hand and request this favorite carol. I love the minor harmonies, the haunting melody, and, of course, the words.

One of my favorite lines is:

The King of kings salvation brings,
Let loving hearts enthrone Him.

How amazing that the King of kings came not only to live on earth, but to live in my heart. How astounding that Christ came, not only to bring salvation, but relationship. When I pause to think about it, my heart sings in gratitude.

Enthrone Him

Unfortunately, I don’t usually stop long enough to think about this. Especially at Christmas time. I’m rushing around buying gifts, practicing for services, attending get-togethers. Not much time to think.

Maybe that’s why I love the words of the ancient carol. While I’m singing, “Let loving hearts enthrone Him,” perhaps I’ll pause long enough to consider what those words really mean.

The apostle Peter says something similar in his first epistle:

Sanctify Christ as Lord in your hearts. (1 Peter 3:15 NASB)

The word sanctify means to set something apart from the rest as holy and sacred. Of course, Christ is already holy. We cannot make Him more sacred or sanctified. So this verse encourages us to change our personal view of Him. It directs us to set Him apart from all the rest of the stuff in our hearts.

Our English word Lord comes from the Greek word kyrios which means supreme in authority, controller, and by implication, Master. (Blue Letter Bible) Peter asks us to set Christ on the throne of our hearts–to give Him supreme authority in our lives.

As a recovering control freak, this does not come naturally to me. I like to plan out my schedule. I prefer to make the decisions in my life. Enthroning Christ means I allow Him to plan the schedule and make the decisions. Truthfully, there have been times when God and I have had differences about which way my life should go. I have struggled to release my grip on my life.

Loving Hearts

What I find so amazing is that God knows this. And so He sits back and waits. While He waits, He reminds me of His love–a love that compelled a Father to send His only Son to a broken world. A love that made a King come to earth as a baby in a cow’s feeding trough. A love that drove the Lord of the universe to a criminal’s death on a cross. All to save me.

Jesus waits because He will never force me to enthrone Him. He doesn’t want me to give Him control of my heart out of fear. He waits for me to do it out of love. “Loving hearts enthrone Him.”

So, as I sing “The King of kings salvation brings, let loving hearts enthrone Him” this Christmas, I will remember the love of a King and prayerfully, thankfully, lovingly, seat Him on His rightful throne in my heart.

Next step: Listen to What Child is This and prayerfully sing along.

For another reflection on a Christmas carol click here.