Anticipation

 

It never goes away, regardless of our age.  That Christmas Eve feeling arrives every year without fail.  Some call it Christmas magic. But I see it as a feeling of expectation…something coming.

 

Small children experience it all through the holidays.  It may be the presents or family coming from far away to visit.  On Christmas Eve, it shows up as excitement over Santa Claus and stockings.  Or perhaps they’ve heard the story that all animals can speak at midnight.  Eyes and ears are on alert as they scan the skies and listen more closely to pets.

 

Reality sets in as teens realize that “magic” is not necessarily going to happen.  But the gifts under the tree are real and take on importance…bigger wishes and more expensive.  Maybe a new Christmas outfit calls from the closet in anticipation of Christmas Eve candlelight service or parties.

 

The anticipation changes for moms and dads, often taking on a dark edge as presents are frantically wrapped and baking and cooking gets into full swing.  The mom is often stressed with too much to do, often self-imposed; and the dad anticipates the very real possibility of an emotional meltdown.

 

Grandparents wait eagerly to see the excited faces of grandchildren.  Sometimes the anticipation comes in the form of dread of an empty house with family far away.  The emotions will hit but never when we expect.

 

When I still had kids at home, Christmas Eve was not a fun time to be at our house.  I was that frantic “Martha,” overworked because I expected too much of myself, set a level of perfection to achieve that was really only important to me.  But, amazing, every Christmas around sunset, whether the work was done or not, a peace – yes, with a touch of magic – settled in and the family moved a little closer together.  

 

In Virginia where it was very cold and sometimes snowing, I would pull on a heavy coat and go stand in the yard late, around midnight.  Just stand and pray, look at the stars, and think about the greatest anticipation of all.  Because that sense of anticipation is about an arrival, for sure.  The coming of Emmanuel, God with Us. 

 

I’m sure that eagerness was with Mary and Joseph as they waited and wondered what the Son of God would look like – would he have hair?  Would he look at all like Mary?  The shepherds must have felt excited and nervous as they make the trek to Bethlehem.  The wise men had days of expectation and wonder as they traveled.

 

This Christmas, I have been blessed with a quiet peace and contentment.  I am not with my children and that always tugs at my heart.  But I am convinced that this year God’s plan for me was time to enjoy Steve’s company and to be physically and spiritually renewed.  My prayer for you this Christmas is that, in addition to the cookies, the family and friends, the presents, you will enjoy the presence of Christ and anticipate His coming again.  Go out at midnight and look up at the sky and see if you don’t sense it!

 

“Not only so, but we ourselves, who have the firstfruits of the Spirit, groan inwardly as we wait eagerly for our adoption as sons, the redemption of our bodies.” (Romans 8:23)