‘You have to wait for Christmas,’ my mom said when I was dying to know what was under the tree with my name on it. All I could think was, ‘It could be a Nintendo… it could be a Nintendo!’ Not knowing was hard, but you know what was even harder? The waiting. For three long weeks, I had to wait just to find out. And then Christmas morning came… Booyah! Nintendo?

Nope. Ice skates.

Waiting is hard, isn’t it? Whether it’s a present under the tree or a big change in life, we don’t like not knowing. And that’s exactly what Advent is about - waiting. God’s people waited centuries for the promised Messiah, and when Jesus finally came, He arrived quietly, in a humble manger, at exactly the right time.

Even in Scripture, the people God used most had to wait. Joseph waited 13 years before he went from prison to second-in-command in Egypt. David waited 15 years after being anointed before he became king. Moses waited 40 years in the desert before God called him to lead His people out of Egypt. And Jesus Himself waited 30 years to start His ministry. And while they waited, God was at work - shaping their hearts, growing their character, and preparing them for what was next.

I remember other times in my own life where waiting was difficult. Like when I was single, hoping for a relationship. At the time, it felt like God was quiet, but looking back, those seasons were full of preparation. God was developing my patience, strengthening my character, and showing me what I truly needed to rely on Him - not on my own timing or plans. Maybe for you it's a job, a health diagnosis, or a family situation that feels out of your control.

This Advent, remember: waiting is not wasted time. God uses these moments to prepare us for what’s coming. He is shaping our hearts, growing our faith, and guiding us toward what is best - even when we can’t see it yet. Waiting can be hard, yes, but it can also be beautiful. We get to practice hope, learn trust, and experience God’s faithfulness in the quiet moments. So, just like the long wait to open that present on Christmas morning, the waiting matters. It reminds us to be patient, to trust God’s timing, and to watch how He works while we wait. Nothing is wasted when we embrace the wait.