Anticipation

On Wednesday night, we read some of the Advent Scripture. We lit the candles, shared some fruit, added a Jesse tree “ornament” to our Christmas tree, talked a little of what we had read, and closed our time in prayer. I so very much enjoy that our focus these last few years has been one of anticipation rather than acquisition. The Advent season is a very treasured time, and makes Christmas so much more blessed than ever it was in my childhood.

Regardless of the intentions my parents may have had with our family traditions, I know my own heart, even with faith in Christ, had misdirected affections. I recall lusting with avarice over the Sears wishbook, and its counterpart from J.C. Penney. Sure, it wasn’t Macy’s, but that was only a difference in price, not in kind. The church Christmas program was not a much better environment, for there, I was delighted with leading parts, and I always knew we could expect a paper sack full of candy and peanuts at the end of the night. In that respect, it was better than trick-or- treating (no costumes or cold required), but little better than Pavlov’s dog. 
Even as I gained some years, I was more concerned about how a certain young lady would perceive my present (and, therefore, me) than I was about the Christ child, in my gift giving. Am I saying my motives were completely suspect in all of this? No, for I wanted to please my parents and my teachers, and I very much enjoyed seeing the pleasure of those watching the program. And we didn’t do the Santa thing. But I recall little of a mindset, for myself, of anticipation, service, or worship.

Indeed, the first introduction to the church idea of Advent, that I recall, was when my friend Rich was selling Advent calendars for German club. The idea of opening a little door each day in the countdown to Christmas fascinated me. Still, it was more about chocolate than church tradition. At about the same time, the school choir, of which I was a part, sang on the radio at The Salvation Army building. This was much closer to service, at least, I suppose, for the broadcast was for procuring funds for the ministry to the poor of my hometown. (Correct my understanding of this, if memory poorly served me, my friends.)

Now, however, I remember the anticipation and longing for the Messiah of Jewish people. I rehearse, with my family, how Scripture points to Jesus, how various events in the lives of the patriarchs and the people of God foreshadowed the Anointed One, Jesus Christ, the Righteous. We rehearse, also, the anticipation of the return of the king to judge the earth and display His eternal glory forevermore.

Merry Christmas. Maranatha!

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