I had a dream last night about Liz. It was one of those dreams that is more than just a dream; you wake up with it still happening in your heart. You know?

I carried myself and my heavy heart to the kitchen, where I brewed my coffee and sat here, at the computer.

And when I read Brietta’s post about Advent, about the coming of Christ, I broke down sobbing.

“Please come soon, Jesus. Please!”

I choked on tears and groaned those words, and knew that they were mingling with thousands of other such prayers, rising from the centuries, rising all over the world, rising from hearts that have found ache and hardship and are longing for redemption.

…Rising with hope, hope that will not be disappointed. He hears, and He’s coming.

Come, Thou long expected Jesus
Born to set Thy people free;
From our fears and sins release us,
Let us find our rest in Thee.
Israel’s Strength and Consolation,
Hope of all the earth Thou art;
Dear Desire of every nation,
Joy of every longing heart.

Born Thy people to deliver,
Born a child and yet a King,
Born to reign in us forever,
Now Thy gracious kingdom bring.
By Thine own eternal Spirit
Rule in all our hearts alone;
By Thine all sufficient merit,
Raise us to Thy glorious throne. ( –charles wesley)