Anticipation

Only a few days left until this Christmas! We tend to count down the days as we wait in anticipation for our Christmas celebrations. At Jesus' birth there was only a vague anticipation waiting for The Messiah. Today, is there anticipation of Jesus' return?

Our family has three celebrations coming up this weekend. Friday we will do our Jesus Gifts. Saturday is our Christmas Eve church service. Sunday we exchange gifts with family. All three that different levels of anticipation.

Anticipation is an interesting emotion. It can be one of joy, fear, anxiety or hope. At Jesus' birth there was hope from the Jewish people. They were looking for a Messiah who would set up a kingdom strong enough to overcome the Romans. The leaders, however, feared that a coming Messiah could be true and they feared the outcome. They did all they could to stop any messiah from taking away their power.

In our countdown to Christmas we could feel excitement and joy over the gathering of friends and family or the receiving of gifts. But we could also worry over the gifts we bought for others. Will they be liked, or hated? We might also be concerned about getting together with family members that are not easy to be with. Our feelings might even be a mixture of ups and downs during the anticipation of this holiday.

The anticipation of Christ's return is, like His first coming, hopeful for those who desire His coming and pray for the peace He will bring on the earth. But others may scoff at the predictions of His second advent fearful that their plans may be upended.

We anticipate in different ways depending on our beliefs. But the question that comes to mind is there anticipation in the heart of God in the waiting for the right time of Jesus' return? I imagine there is! He planned for angels, shepherds, wise men, and a star to greet Jesus at His birth. He sent messages through the prophets in hopes that people would look for His coming. Yes, and He left prophetic words for us to anticipate this next coming!

Hebrews 9:28 so Christ, having been offered once to bear the sins of many, will appear a second time, not to deal with sin but to save those who are eagerly waiting for him.

Revelation 1:7 Behold, he is coming with the clouds, and every eye will see him, even those who pierced him, and all tribes of the earth will wail[a] on account of him. Even so. Amen.

And there are so many more!

Jesus, You are our Living Savior! You always keep Your promises and so I look forward with hope and joy in anticipation of Your return to earth. For give me when I let the cares of this world set a shadow over the light of Your coming, both now at Christmas time and for Your second Advent! I want eyes to see You and ears to hear You and a heart that longs for you with loving anticipation.