Expectations: The Coming of the Christ

Leo Tolstoy wrote a story of an old shoemaker who dreamed that Jesus would visit him on Christmas Day. The next day, he rose from his bed and began to clean his house and prepare food in expectation of the Lord’s visit. But as the day passed, the only visitors he received were an old man, a mother and baby, and a hungry child. To each of these, he supplied their needs. But by the end of the day, his holy visitor had not come.

“It was only a dream,” he told himself sadly.

Suddenly the room filled with light and the old man heard a gentle voice repeating familiar words.”Whosoever shall receive one such in my name, receives me…for I was hungry and you gave me food, I was a stranger and you took me in. Verily I say to you, inasmuch as you have done it unto the least of these, you have done it unto me.”

How often we set our sights on the arrival of the King and miss the mission of the Savior. Our purpose is not to wait for the second coming. The pestilence, the hunger, the need is now. The Savior is among us and He says “Feed my sheep. Love the unlovely. Remember the forgotten. Reach the lost.”

When we give our time and love to others, we create space within ourselves to receive the immeasurable blessings that come from being in His presence. May our hands be willing, our hearts be open, and our spirits be filled with the love of our God.

Do not wait for the final days. Honor your King today. Feed His sheep.

Let these next months be a year when we as a church and as individuals live the mission of the Christ.