When my husband and I were first married we travelled to Hawaii for our honeymoon. As young explorers do, we set out to experience all Hawaii had to offer. While visiting Maui, we decided to wake up early one morning and go watch the sunrise on Haleakala. Arriving at the top of the massive volcano, we sat for hours, eagerly waiting for the first light to appear. As the clock ticked, nearing the estimated time for the sunrise, a warm glow began to embrace us. In what seemed to be a split second, the sun peered over the horizon and rays of light burst forth, bouncing off the fluffy white clouds and stretching toward the heavens. I’ll never forget the glory of that moment. We waited patiently and expectantly for the dawn, and we were not disappointed.

Woven into the human heart is a longing for Christ. Just like the dawn appears and satisfies our aching eyes, so does Christ dawn on our hearts when we believe in the good news of the gospel. He is the Light we long for in the darkness of this world. We have received Him fully, and we eagerly await His return. However, as we wait for Christ’s second coming, it is important for us to look back and remember the waiting the Israelites endured for hundreds of years as they hoped for the Messiah. Christmas is the season in which we celebrate the first advent, the coming of Christ to this earth as a baby.