Watching long

Saints before the altar bending
Watching long in hope and fear
Suddenly the Lord descending
In his temple shall appear

This verse in “Angels from the Realms of Glory” caught my attention as I listened to Glad’s Voices of Christmas this morning. It carries a sense of weariness, but determination; of believing in some coming good, even though it is under threat. It speaks of God showing up right where he is supposed to be, but only after a long vigil by faithful people right where they are supposed to be.

This is the season of remembering Christ as the fulfillment of prophecy, but for me it is always a season of increased longing. These lines seem to speak to that.