Anticipation
Today we are only two days away from Christmas. The anticipation is building! Recently I have been remembering the Christmas’ of my childhood. My families tradition was that after church, two weeks before Christmas, we’d go and pick out our Christmas tree. It would sit in a bucket of water on the porch until the next Sunday when we would spend the afternoon decorating it. No presents were put under the tree until we were asleep on Christmas Eve. There were four children in my family and we all stayed upstairs on the top step waiting until our parents had their coffee and the tree lights on. Then we were called down to what seemed like a Christmas miracle. Talk about anticipation! That may be the definition of it for a child!
The times before Jesus’ birth were very difficult times for the Jewish people. Isaiah 9: 2(NIV) tells us: “The people walking in darkness have seen a great light on those living in the shadow of death a light has dawned.” The passage goes on to describe how wonderful life will be “”For to us a child is born, to us a son is given, and the government shall be upon his shoulders. And he will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. Of the increase of his government and peace there will be no end. “(Isaiah 9: 6-7 NIV) Can you imagine how much the people living under Roman rule were anticipating the birth of their savior?
As an adult, I don’t feel the same anticipation as I did as a child sitting on those steps waiting to be called down to that brightly lit tree surrounded by presents. Nor do I feel the anticipation of the Jewish people waiting for an earthly savior. I am anticipating a different kind of miracle--the opening of hands and hearts in love. A generosity of spirit that Christmas seems to bring out in people. Just as Jesus’ birth brought light to a dark world so many years ago, he also brings light to the darkness in our world today through us.
Spread the love! Spread the joy! Sing “Glory to God in the highest!” (Luke 2:14 NIV)
Margaret Williams
The times before Jesus’ birth were very difficult times for the Jewish people. Isaiah 9: 2(NIV) tells us: “The people walking in darkness have seen a great light on those living in the shadow of death a light has dawned.” The passage goes on to describe how wonderful life will be “”For to us a child is born, to us a son is given, and the government shall be upon his shoulders. And he will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. Of the increase of his government and peace there will be no end. “(Isaiah 9: 6-7 NIV) Can you imagine how much the people living under Roman rule were anticipating the birth of their savior?
As an adult, I don’t feel the same anticipation as I did as a child sitting on those steps waiting to be called down to that brightly lit tree surrounded by presents. Nor do I feel the anticipation of the Jewish people waiting for an earthly savior. I am anticipating a different kind of miracle--the opening of hands and hearts in love. A generosity of spirit that Christmas seems to bring out in people. Just as Jesus’ birth brought light to a dark world so many years ago, he also brings light to the darkness in our world today through us.
Spread the love! Spread the joy! Sing “Glory to God in the highest!” (Luke 2:14 NIV)
Margaret Williams
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