Anticipation
Decorations surround us—in stores, on the streets, and in our homes. They create an atmosphere of anticipation of something wonderful that is about to come! (Did you ever wonder WHY we do this? It takes so much time and energy to put it all where we want it, then we know it has to be packed away again.) Decorations “set the stage.”
Kids are giddy with excitement, making their lists and homemade ornaments. We’re baking, shopping, wrapping, sending cards, and more decorating. My home has snowmen and Santa collections, little fake trees, cookie jars, nativity scenes, angels, churches, fake gifts, and a 9’ tree. It’s so exciting! Anticipation is growing!
We recently visited our daughter in another town and drove to see one of those homes with the light/music shows. You know what I’m talking about, a million tiny lights that do “routines” to music, and everyone is amazed. It would put the Griswolds to shame! Our own home is simple with greenery on the porch, wreaths on the windows, and spotlights on the manger scene and house. Some friends recently gifted us with a laser light that makes glitter lights on the tree limbs over the manger scene—pretty cool!
While watching one of the 50 Hallmark Christmas movies we’d saved on the DVR, I was struck by the myriad of decorations inside and out of the homes on the screen. Most of them were more decorated than a department store, and the people were so happy. Sometimes, they will sing carols and have a church scene, even a prayer. I still can’t understand dancing to “Silent Night,” but they do it a lot. Not a whole lot of emphasis on the true meaning of Christmas, though—the birth of our Savior.
A thought occurred to me during one of the movies that I have not shaken: What kind of preparations are we making for His return? There aren’t “His Return” decorations, recipes, or sweaters to be found. One might say we could put Scripture all around us and even wear some of it, but that’s not really decorating. I can’t imagine what that would look like, but that is not my point.
Are we as excited about His second return as we are the first? Do we anticipate it? Are we proclaiming it, as the angels did? Like the wise men, do we still seek Him? Do we need a star to prompt us into action? December 25 is a date on our calendar and Christmas will come and go. We don’t know what date to mark on our calendar for His return, but it is already marked on God’s “calendar” and it WILL come.
“But of that day and hour no one knows, not even the angels of heaven, nor the Son, but the Father alone.” Matthew 24:36
None of the gifts we give at Christmas will matter—not the clothes, books, toasters, or toys—but the gift of God is eternal life in His Son and it ABSOLUTELY matters. As we each look at the cards, gifts, and goodies around us, may we pray for each person represented to know Jesus as their Savior and share that message with them if they don’t. May we look with greater anticipation to the second coming as we do in looking back at the celebration of the firstcoming!
