I always get so excited when Christmas is almost here. There are plenty of people who don’t share my enthusiasm, though. So I decided to try to figure out why I get so excited. I think it’s mostly because of my childhood experiences. When I think back I can’t come up with many specific memories, just an overall feeling. Odd as it may sound, I remember the anticipation as much as anything else—the excitement on Christmas Eve wondering what Santa would bring, listening (yes, and sometimes watching) for the reindeer feet or the jingling of sleigh bells.
When my sister Sharon and I were young we would back into the family room and look in our stocking first prolonging the thrill of looking under the tree. We would be in our red jammies with pink sponge curlers in our hair (before the age of curling irons). Our Christmas morning excitement extended much longer than most families with the arrival of my 2 younger sisters when Sharon and I were close to our teens (we were 14 & 12 when Val was born, 17 & 15 when Lauren was born).
It is interesting that I would focus on the anticipation because that’s what Advent is all about. It means expectation or “a coming”. Of course to us it means looking forward to, or anticipating, Jesus’ coming (His birth).
“For to us a child is born,
to us a son is given,
and the government will be on his shoulders.
And he will be called
Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God,
Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.”Isaiah 9:6 (NIV)
To us, in 2009, we look forward to celebrating the remembrance of Jesus’ first coming but even more importantly, as Christians we look forward to Jesus’ Second Coming.
"Behold, I am coming soon! My reward is with me, and I will give to everyone according to what he has done. I am the Alpha and the Omega, the First and the Last, the Beginning and the End.” Revelation 22:12-13 (NIV)
We should live each day as if Jesus could come at any minute (because He could!). We want to be doing something that would be pleasing to Him when he does come.
As you busily make preparations for your Christmas celebrations, don’t lose sight of why we are celebrating—and never lose the anticipation of Christmas, no matter how big of a kid you are!
Have a great day and a Merry Christmas!