Thursday, December 7, 2023

Christmas is a season of anticipation. We count down the days until it arrives, playing music and decorating the house. Children, especially, with their shining eyes and secretive smiles, are filled with energy.

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.

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. Share your favorite Christmas movies with each other. Then pick one (or two!), make some popcorn, and settle down in Christmas PJ’s for a Christmas movie marathon.

Series Theme Verse:

Psalm 16:11(ESV)
You make known to me the path of life; in your presence there is fullness of joy; at your right hand are pleasures forevermore.

This post was written by Lydia Snyder, a regular contributor LivingItOut.