Advent is a season of waiting by its very definition. We celebrate the anticipated arrival of our Messiah, Jesus, and the hope and new life He brought to us.

Military wives are pros at waiting.

Most of us are stationed far from the friendly comfort of “home,” wherever that may be. We’d much rather spend the holidays among the familiar with our family and friends. But for many of us, it’s not an option.

So we wait.

Some of us are living overseas, many in countries that are actually hostile toward Christianity. There are no “Merry Christmas” signs, lights, trees, manger scenes, candles or anything else signifying that this is a special season to us. What we wouldn’t give to hear a good, old-fashioned “Merry Christmas!” from a store clerk or the ringing of a Salvation Army bell. But for this year….it’s not to be.

So we wait.

For still others, it’s close to moving time again. We celebrate Christmas with a partially packed or unpacked house, doing the best we can to help our families have a good Christmas. “It’ll be better next year,” we promise ourselves.

And we wait.

For many of us, we will go through the holidays—whether for the first time or one out of many Christmas seasons—without our beloved spouses.  They may be on an extended remote tour or deployed in harm’s way every single day. There is nothing we can do but pray.  We hope and cling to faith.

And we wait.

For those who wait along with me, please let me offer a simple “Merry Christmas” to you. My prayers are with you every single day.  You’re not forgotten.

Perhaps having all the comforts, people, and things we love stripped from us reminds us of Who our hope truly is: Jesus.

Know that He will not let you down as you continue to wait.

The eternal God is your refuge, and underneath are the everlasting arms. (Deut. 33:27)

About the Author:
Jennifer McDonald has written for various publications including theRosetta Stone website, Home School Enrichment, Home Educating Family, Crosswalk.com, and the upcoming books Chicken Soup for the Soul: Devotionals for Tough Times and Fighting Fear: Winning the Battle at Home When Your Soldier Leaves for Battle. She’s been married to her amazing Air Force husband for 23 years, and they are the parents of four busy teenagers. They’ve lived all over the world from the Pacific to Europe, and are currently stationed in Washington, D.C. Find her at http://www.just-jen.net/  and on Twitter as jenmcdonald88.