“Expectation”
December 23, 2017This time of year can get extremely busy with so many things calling out for our attention. Andy Williams summarizes it well with. “…There’ll be parties for hosting, marshmallows for toasting, and caroling out in the snow…” Events, both planned and unplanned, consume a portion of the limited supply afforded to us.
Even with all the added commotion, we still eagerly anticipate the beauty of Christmas morning. The expectation of practicing long held family traditions alongside new stories that will be retold for decades to come. There’s the hope that: each gift will fit as perfect as if it were tailor made, the Christmas dinner is a scrumptious as it looks in the magazine, relatives will arrive safely and leave timely, and the children will clean up the disorder while we watch the snow pile up outside. Something about this time of year fans the flame of hopefulness.
Let me encourage you to spend some time considering the ramifications of the birth of The Messiah. I read this quote on Wednesday morning, “The greatest threat to Christmas this year is not consumerism or Santa, but our overfamiliarity with the most stunning story ever told”. Pondering that quote will cause most of us to shake our head in agreement and check our heart for consequence.
When was the last time we considered the foundation for Christmas as a stunning story? Last weekend, millions of people (myself included) went to a local theater to see the latest entry in the Star Wars saga, “The Last Jedi”. If you believe the critiques from the general public who cared enough to post their thoughts online, the movie would not be described as “stunning”. And yet people will argue and discuss the finer points of The Dreadnought’s weaknesses and Kylo’s true heart. Instead of this, commit to finding time today or tomorrow to let the amazement and wonder of God’s Love, Purpose, and Provision overwhelm you. When you do, you’ll never regret it.
Pastor Dave
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