Anticipation and Advent

What is it about Christmas that is so fabulous? The Christian answer is Jesus, of course (interesting how He is the answer to just about everything!!)... to the average American it's about Santa Claus, gifts and a season of being with family and friends - of snow and carols.

One of my friends is great about celebrating Advent. I wish I did. I wish I had an advent wreath that I lit every week as a reminder of the 4 weeks before Christmas. Because I think it's the anticipation, the excitement before the event that makes Christmas. I mean you know you're going to be happy on Christmas Day, but then there's that let down, the "rats it's over" time right afterwards when it's time to take the tree down, put the decorations away, and get on with real life.

My birthday falls at the end of the month and I have sort of declared the entire month of April as my "birthday month". I love it when holidays and special events happen at the end of the month because it gives me all month to look forward to it. The 4th of July always catches me by surprise because I never think about it until July and then it's the 4th already! I love it that Thanksgiving (my favorite holiday) and Christmas both happen at the end of their months, and that they are back to back - so then in my mind the holidays start Nov 1.

I think anticipation is a gift. But in our culture we're always in a hurry and we don't anticipate. We rush. We hurry. We (I!) speed. We fly through life instead of just relaxing and enjoying it. We take short-cuts to get what we want, when we want it.

So this Christmas season, before the 2nd advent-wreath candle is lit, I am going to make a stand.

This will be the Christmas that I revel in anticipation.

That I enjoy the waiting,
without having.

Because I am not waiting in vain. The One I hope in is faithful. He will come through - He will deliver. When we anticipate something that God has promised, there isn't the let-down when it happens... because with Him the anticipation is not as good as the real thing!! It's not like microwave popcorn that smells better than it tastes (especially since I eat the 97% fat free kind!). No! The Lord God is all-mighty. All powerful. He created sunrises to color the sky in brilliant colors before the sunlight shatters the darkness. And He loves it when we trust Him. When we believe that He will come through for us.

Blessed is she who has believed that what the Lord has said to her will be accomplished! - Luke 1:45

May you believe and be blessed.