I was reading this verse in an Advent devotional:

The LORD your God is with you, he is mighty to save. He will take great delight in you, he will quiet you with his love, he will rejoice over you with singing.

Zephaniah 3:17

During this Advent season, I have been focusing on my/our anticipation of Jesus’ coming. But this verse made me do a switch. What about God’s anticipation of sending his son? If God takes such great delight in us, I’m sure his anticipation of that incredible event must have been awesome. I think of how excited I am at giving my kids gifts. I’m probably more excited about giving it to them as they are about receiving it — to watch the paper being shredded off, their eyes widening, their squeals of excitement and joy. And if I, though I am evil, know how to give good gifts to my children, how much more the Father!

Father, thank you for another opportunity to get my eyes off of myself and, hopefully, onto you. Thank you for taking great delight in us and giving us the best gift of all. What excitement that must have been for you. And what excitement and joy you must experience every time someone receives that gift afresh. Amen.