In this season of expectation, when we look forward to celebrating the joy of Jesus’ birth, I often think about how much advent is about *longing.* And I believe I it resonates with us, because we’re all already so filled with longing. 
We’re waiting for all the wrong to be made right. 

It’s the theme to every good, deep story, the backdrop to our most painful, personal heartbreaks and losses. We need healing in a million ways and we’re waiting for it. 

We’re waiting for relief, for the joy, and it doesn’t always come right away. 
We can look forward to the joy (it’s really coming). But also we can hold hurting ones close while we wait for it together (sometimes it’s the only way to make it through).

The weary world groans, longing for redemption, and we also groan, waiting, growing in patience, for Jesus to finish his perfect work in us. (Romans 8:22-25)

Son of Adam, Son of heaven,
Given as a ransom;
Reconciling God and man,
Christ, our mighty champion!
What a Savior! What a Friend!
What a glorious mystery!
Once a babe in Bethlehem,
Now the Lord of history.

{by Keith Getty and Stuart Townend}