Psalm 130:6
My soul waits for the Lord more than those who watch for the morning, more than those who watch for the morning.

During the Christmas season, waiting is a familiar experience. The church observes Advent, a time of anticipation and preparation as we await the celebration of Jesus’s birth. Children eagerly await Christmas Day to open their gifts. Today’s scripture from Psalm 130:6 says, “My soul waits for the Lord”; it conveys a profound yearning for the Lord from deep within our soul (“Out of the depths I call to Thee, O Lord,” Psalm 130:1). The psalmist further emphasizes this at the end of verse 6 by stating, “more than the watchmen wait for the morning.” Watchmen had the responsibility of guarding their city throughout the night and warning of impending danger. Upon the arrival of morning, visibility improved as the darkness dissipated, and there was a sense of relief with the change of the guard.

One of my favorite Advent songs that our choir has sung is titled “The Yearning.” The lyrics, written by Susan Bentall Boersma, and the music, composed by Craig Courtney, beautifully capture the anticipation for the Lord.

There is a yearning in hearts weighed down by ancient grief and centuries of sorrow.
There is a yearning in hearts that in the darkness hide and in the shades of death abide, a yearning for tomorrow.
There is a yearning, a yearning for the promised One, the Firstborn of creation.
There is a yearning for the Lord who visited His own, and by His death for sin atoned, to bring to us salvation.

Emmanuel, Emmanuel within our hearts, the yearning.
There is a yearning that fills the hearts of those who wait the day of His appearing.
There is a yearning when all our sorrows are erased
and we shall see the One who placed within our hearts the yearning.

Emmanuel, Emmanuel within our hearts, the yearning.

Contributed by Isaac Thomas