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 Or because that is the time of year when I was
ordained. Or maybe because I love to get things organized and ready
(and there never seems to be a shortage of things to do at this time
of the year).
But the four Sundays of Advent invite us to slow down. To light one
Advent candle at a time. To listen to the stories which foretold
Christ’s birth. To wait and let the anticipation build before the
celebration of Christmas.
It just so happens that this year’s weekly Advent worship series at
Immanuel is titled “Advent Anticipation.” A synonym for which would
be expectations. We all bring expectations to this time of year –
well any time of year really.
We expect that things will go a certain way and happen within the
time frame we want them to happen. But with those expectations can
also come disappointment when it doesn’t turn out perfectly.
Having experienced this a time or two ourselves, we can imagine how
the ancient people may have felt after Jesus was born. The high
expectations they had were dashed. How could a tiny infant, born in
such crude surroundings, ever be the one who would save the world?
More than anyone, they had to practice patience and needed to
reframe their expectations. What they had anticipated would happen,
just not as fast as they hoped for or desired.
One of my favorite quotes that I often think of this time of year is
from Anne Lamott. She says, “Hope begins in the dark, the stubborn
hope that if you just show up and try to do the right thing, the
dawn will come. You wait and watch and work: you don't give up.”
As we move into this time of preparing for Christmas, what
expectations do you have? What are those things for which you hope
and watch and work?
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I pray that our waiting might be an active waiting,
filled with purpose. A purpose which connects us more fully with the
gift of our Savior given in the manger that night long ago; helping
us to together show up and try to do the right thing, trusting that
the dawn will indeed come.
Especially as scripture reminds us, “By the tender mercy of our God,
the dawn from on high will break upon us, to give light to those who
sit in darkness and in the shadow of death, to guide our feet into
the way of peace” (Luke 1:78-79).
Blessings to you and your families this Advent and as we celebrate
once more the joy of our Savior’s birth!
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