December 24: Waiting For My Husband!

 

Theme: Watching for the Return

“Blessed are those servants whom the master finds watching when he comes.”
— Luke 12:37

Sharon Campbell-Danvers 

My husband and I have been playing a game. Here’s how it goes. Whenever we are separated for a while—no matter how short—the first person who sees the other returning has to make a shout and really demonstrate the win. After ten wins, you earn twenty-five dollars.

I have already won the first twenty-five dollars.

But here’s the full strategy: I made sure to put away the same twenty-five dollars, just in case he wins the next round, and I’ll use his own money to pay him back. Let’s hope he does not read this plan.

How did I outsmart him?

Not by accident.
By being strategic.
By being intentional.
By watching for his return.

As I knew the time of his arrival was approaching, I positioned myself. I stayed alert. I didn’t drift off into distraction. I watched the door. And when he appeared—I was ready to shout, celebrate, and claim the win.

That little game carries a bigger truth, especially on Christmas Eve.

We didn’t win by guessing.
We won by expectation.

And Scripture calls believers to live the same way.

“Therefore keep watch, because you do not know on what day your Lord will come.”
— Matthew 24:42

Jesus does not tell us to panic.
He does not tell us to predict dates.
He tells us to watch.

Watching means living with awareness.
Watching means positioning the heart.
Watching means being ready to respond when the moment arrives.

The prophet Isaiah echoes this posture:

“Prepare the way for the Lord; make straight paths for him.”
— Isaiah 40:3

Preparation is intentional. Just like in the game, you don’t prepare after the arrival—you prepare before it. You clear space. You focus. You adjust where you stand.

And when Jesus comes, the announcement is not meant to produce fear, but joy:

“But the angel said to them, ‘Do not be afraid. I bring you good news that will cause great joy for all the people.’”
— Luke 2:10

So tonight, as we celebrate that Christ has come, we also ask:

If Jesus were really coming tomorrow…
Would it be celebration or mourning?
Excitement or hesitation?
Joyful recognition—or regret over what we postponed?

Would we be watching?
Would we be positioned?
Would we be ready to shout with joy—or scrambling to respond?

Prayer

Lord Jesus,
On this Christmas Eve, help us to be people who watch for You.
Teach us to live with expectation, intention, and readiness.
Align our hearts, clear our distractions, and position us to receive You with joy.
May we not only remember that You came—but live as those prepared for when You come again.

Amen.