This Friday, our youngest daughter and her family will fly into the States from overseas. Needless to say, we are very excited to spend Christmas together—the first time since 2018 that we will all be in the same room physically. The three younger grandchildren have only experienced Christmas with their cousins over Zoom, and I’m sure the two oldest don’t remember much of the Christmas they celebrated when they were eighteen months old!

My daughter sent me a picture this week of the kids celebrating their “Christmas morning” early. In one photo, the two boys have their arms around each other, with huge smiles. I could see the anticipation on their faces, but when I viewed the “live” version, I had to laugh. Their feet were dancing a mile a minute—they had to stand still for Mom’s camera, but their bodies just couldn’t contain the excitement.

That picture was taken before the opening of presents. They could clearly see that many happy things awaited them but weren’t yet allowed to touch or open the gifts. Even though they didn’t know what was ahead, they had an idea. Because they have experienced their parents’ love and generosity all their lives, they were completely confident that it was good.

And they couldn’t wait!

That picture is a good illustration of the words we read in Romans 8:23-25.

And not only this, but also we ourselves, having the first fruits of the Spirit, even we ourselves groan within ourselves, waiting eagerly for our adoption as sons, the redemption of our body. For in hope we have been saved, but hope that is seen is not hope; for who hopes for what he already sees? But if we hope for what we do not see, with perseverance we wait eagerly for it.

This same phrase is used just prior in verse 19 as well: For the anxious longing of the creation waits eagerly for the revealing of the sons of God.

The Greek word is apekdechomai, to assiduously and patiently wait for; to expect fully, to look or wait for. This word is used in the New Testament only seven times.

• The creation eagerly waits to be restored to its “first-created, pre-sin” glory (Romans 8:19).
• Believers eagerly wait for the redemption of our bodies (Romans 8:23,25; Galatians 5:5).
• Believers eagerly wait for the coming of the Lord (1 Corinthians 1:7; Philippians 3:20; Hebrews 9:28).

All of these verses point to the same event. All creation eagerly awaits the return of our Savior, Jesus Christ. When He comes, we get to open all the presents!

We are filled with anticipation and hope because we have experienced the love and generosity of our heavenly Father. Even though we don’t know exactly what awaits us, we have a good idea, considering what He has already given us.

We have the Holy Spirit dwelling within us, a promise—a down payment—of the sweet and intimate fellowship we will enjoy with the Father and the Son for eternity. We can catch just a glimpse of what it will be like when the curse is lifted and everything is restored, free from the damage of sin, by observing the beautiful, unique, and exquisite created world we already live in today. We understand what it means to be created anew, both spiritually, as the Lord saves and transforms our lives, and as we watch the birth of a new baby.

We eagerly wait for all to be set right and restored, because we trust our good Father.

1 Corinthians 2:9 – But just as it is written, “Things which eye has not seen and ear has not heard, and which have not entered the heart of man, all that God has prepared for those who love Him.”

We are eagerly awaiting our daughter and her family’s arrival in a few days. We will make sure we are at the airport in plenty of time to greet them. We will prepare the rooms where they will sleep. We will gladly prepare for them because we love them and can’t wait to see them face-to-face.

As followers of Jesus, we should have that same anticipation for His return.

This Christmas, let us remember that we are a people filled with hope—hope that our Lord is coming. We hope for gifts that we cannot yet open, yet our joy and anticipation is grounded in what we already see and have experienced—the goodness, mercy, and love of the Father through faith in His precious Son, Jesus. May our “spiritual feet” dance with anticipation and eagerness for what God has “wrapped up” for us.

James 5:7-8 – Therefore be patient, brethren, until the coming of the Lord. The farmer waits for the precious produce of the soil, being patient about it, until it gets the early and late rains. You too be patient; strengthen your hearts, for the coming of the Lord is near.