Thursday, December 8, 2022

December 8, 2022

Around Christmas, you can see anticipation on the faces of almost every child. Their eyes seem to shine. Small, secretive smiles dimple their cheeks. And as the big day grows closer, their energy only increases. 

Unlike joy and hope, anticipation is a sort of whispered excitement—a longing so deep inside, to speak it aloud is almost too vulnerable. We are uncertain of what it really means. Anticipation reveals our desire for a perfect, eternal home—for the promise of Jesus’ return. 

For hundreds of years, the Israelites had lived in anticipation, waiting for the Messiah to rescue them. God had promised one man, Simeon, that he wouldn’t die until he saw the Messiah. On the day Mary and Joseph brought their newborn son, Jesus, to the Temple, Simeon was called there by the Holy Spirit. When he saw Jesus, he praised God, saying: 

Luke 2:29-32
29 “Sovereign Lord, now let your servant die in peace, as you have promised. 30 I have seen your salvation, 31  which you have prepared for all people. 32 He is a light to reveal God to the nations, and he is the glory of your people Israel!”

Many people missed Jesus—even when he was right there in front of them. Although the Israelites were anticipating God’s Savior, they had their own expectations of what that would look like. Simeon, on the other hand, never saw Jesus’ teaching, miracles, or resurrection, but he was no less overjoyed by the sight of him. 

We sometimes create an expectation rather than being full of anticipation. When we place boundaries on how we want God to work, we end up limiting how much of his story we’re able to see and experience. Simeon was open to whatever Messiah God had in mind, and he was able to rejoice and share the good news. 

Psalm 130:5-7
5 I am counting on the Lord; yes, I am counting on him. I have put my hope in his word. 6 I long for the Lord more than sentries long for the dawn, yes, more than sentries long for the dawn. 7 O Israel, hope in the Lord; for with the Lord there is unfailing love. His redemption overflows.

This is the way to anticipate—to count on him, to hope in his word, to long for him like the dawn, to seek his unfailing love and overflowing redemption—until he returns forever. 

Micah 7:7
As for me, I look to the Lord for help. I wait confidently for God to save me, and my God will certainly hear me.

Questions:
What are you anticipating? When do you feel anticipation the most? Are there any expectations that you need to let go of? 

Next Steps:
Make a “Christmas list” of the things you are anticipating to experience in Heaven. Include things like rest, closeness with God, awe, and relief. If you’re creative, paint a picture or write a poem to express your anticipation. If not, find a space in your home, at the park, or the library where you can anticipate God’s promises for a few moments. 

Prayer:
Father, what a gift anticipation is! Thank you for our anticipation of the little, like hot coffee and a warm bed at the end of a long day, and of  the big, like spending eternity with you. Please, help us let go of our expectations so we can receive your story, which is far better than anything we could ever come up with ourselves. Teach us to find ways to bring a little bit of Heaven to earth as we wait for you. Amen. 

Parent Resource:
Read Luke 1:38 together as a family. Bake a batch of Christmas cookies (no shame if you grab a tube from the grocery store!) Share a snack together and take some of them to a neighbor. 

This post was written by Lydia Snyder. Lydia has been a story-lover for as long as she can remember, often found reading books or writing. She is thrilled to be making a difference by inspiring others to take part in the best story ever – God’s story. Lydia lives with her three wonderful siblings and two amazing parents.