THREE ANGELS BROADCASTING NETWORK DEVOTIONAL
Waiting and Rejoicing

By Diane Hamilton December 25th, 2025

“Now when these things begin to happen, look up and lift up your heads, because your redemption draws near.” Luke 21:28.

In Genesis God promised the birth of His Son to Adam and Eve.

And they waited.

Abraham and Sarah were told they would have a son.

And they waited.

Balaam wasn’t able to curse God’s people, but rather prophesied of the coming Messiah.

And they waited.

David was anointed king, and was promised that the Messiah would come from his lineage.

And he waited, too.

Finally, the long-anticipated day arrived, and the shepherds and wise men joyfully celebrated the birth of the Messiah. “Glory to God in the highest,” the angels sang, “and on earth peace, goodwill toward men!” Luke 2:14.

The truth of Christmas is that Jesus, the Messiah, fulfilled God’s promise to Adam and Eve. Their waiting was over—but we still await His Second Coming as King of Kings and Lord of Lords. Waiting is God’s way of making us better people by molding us into being more longsuffering and patient, like Him.

Jesus prophesied there would be more waiting in the parable of the Ten Virgins in Matthew 25, after warning in the previous chapter that if the master of the house had known what hour the thief would come, he would have watched and not allowed his house to be broken into.

Wars and rumors of wars, earthquakes, and disasters are everywhere. To many, these disasters seem like the end of the world—but the end is not yet. There is more waiting.

Waiting is God’s way of making better people of us—more longsuffering and patient, like He is. While we wait for Jesus’ Second Coming, why not remember where we have been led in the past? We must remember the central truth of Christmas—the Messiah came the first time as promised. And the truth is that He will come again—after much waiting!

In America we celebrate a number of holidays—Mother’s Day, Father’s Day, and President’s Day. Are these dates the birthdays of the people we honor? Of course not. And Christmas most certainly is not the birth date of Jesus Christ, either, as 3ABN’s programming clearly states. However, the Christmas holiday is one we can safely participate in because of the truth it points to: Jesus Christ came to our rescue—as promised!​

Use this wonderful season to bring up Jesus’ first and Second Coming to those around you. You’ll find them much more receptive to the spiritual dimensions surrounding it than any other holiday on the calendar!