When Heaven Came Down - December 5th Devotion

The Waiting Was Worth It

Scripture Reading: Luke 1:30–33 (CSB)
“Then the angel told her, ‘Do not be afraid, Mary, for you have found favor with God. Now listen: You will conceive and give birth to a son, and you will name him Jesus.
He will be great and will be called the Son of the Most High, and the Lord God will give him the throne of his father David.
He will reign over the house of Jacob forever, and his kingdom will have no end.’”

Devotional Thought:
Waiting is hard.
 Ask any kid who’s counting down the days to Christmas.
 Ask any parent waiting on test results, or any traveler stuck in traffic.
 Waiting feels like nothing is happening.
 But often, God does His best work in the waiting.
The Old Testament ends with 400 years of silence.
 No prophets. No miracles. No new promises.
 Just waiting.
And then suddenly, an angel appears to a young woman named Mary and says, “Now listen…” 
In other words, “The waiting is over.”
What had been promised to Eve…
What had been declared to Abraham…
What had been sung by David…
What had been prophesied by Isaiah…
…was now in motion.
The child was coming.
 Not just a king—but the King.
Not just a rescuer—but the Son of the Most High.
And His reign?
 It would never end.
This is the joy of Advent:
 The promise has arrived. The wait was worth it.
Christmas reminds us that God never forgets His children.
 He may seem silent. 
But He is never still.
 And when His plan unfolds, it is always on time.
If you’ve been waiting on God—remember Mary.
 The angel told her, “You have found favor with God.”
 She didn’t earn it.
 She didn’t deserve it.
 She simply trusted Him—and said yes.
You can too.

Let’s Talk About It:
How do you feel when you have to wait for something important?
Why do you think God waited so long before sending Jesus?
What’s something you’re waiting for right now—and how can you trust God while you wait?

Tradition Tie-In: Light the First Advent Candle
If your family uses an Advent wreath, tonight is a perfect time to light the first candle—the candle of hope.
 As you do, say this together:
“We wait in hope, because Jesus is coming.”
Even if you don’t have a wreath, you can light a single candle as a symbol that God keeps His promises, and His timing is perfect.

Closing Prayer:
Lord,
 Thank You that the waiting wasn’t wasted.
 Thank You that, at just the right time, You sent Jesus—our Savior and King.
 Help us to trust You in the waiting seasons of our lives.
Give us hope, like Mary had, and faith to believe that You are always working, even when we can’t see it.
 We praise You for the promise fulfilled in Christ.
 Amen.