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There’s an ancient prayer that some Christians insert into the Lord’s Prayer right before the doxology: Deliver us, Lord, from every evil, and grant us peace in our day. In your mercy, keep us free from sin and protect us from all anxiety, as we wait in joyful hope for the coming of our Savior, Jesus Christ.
Like the people who heard the prophets proclaim God’s promise of a redeemer, we wait in joyful hope. Like Mary, waiting for her baby to be born, we wait in joyful hope. Like Jesus’ first followers, waiting for him to restore the kingdom, we wait in joyful hope.
God’s people were waiting and hoping for a warrior king. The people wanted a king like David, who had brought the divided kingdom together. They wanted a king like Solomon, whose wealth and wisdom are famous. They wanted a glorious king!
But God’s idea of a glorious king isn’t the same as humanity’s idea of a glorious king. God surprised the world with a humble shepherd king, born in a stable, not a royal palace; laid in a manger, not a silken crib; crowned with thorns, not gold and jewels.
This message is excerpted from “We wait in joyful hope” by Audrey Novak Riley from the December 13, 2021, blog of the Women of the ELCA.