Anticipation
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Anticipation – it’s that wonderful feeling that sends shivers down your spine and tingling in your fingers as you look forward to some long awaited moment.
With Christmas comes the thrill of expectation. Young ones wait for holidays from school, looking forward to opening stockings and presents; older ones may be hoping for time to be reunited with family, or wishing for quiet times to enjoy the beauty of decorations and carols. As Christians, we have more to look forward to than the holiday season.
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Carols of Christmas: Take a Life Lesson
Luke’s gospel tells us of two elderly people who spent their lives in anticipation. They were eagerly waiting for the coming of the Messiah.
“Now there was a man in Jerusalem called Simeon, who was righteous and devout. He was waiting for the consolation of Israel, and the Holy Spirit was upon him.” (Luke 2:25, NIV)
“Coming up to them at that very moment, [Anna] gave thanks to God and spoke about the child to all who were looking forward to the redemption of Jerusalem.” (Luke 2:38, NIV)
When Joseph and Mary brought the baby Jesus to the temple to dedicate him, both Simeon and Anna recognized that Jesus was the fulfillment for which they had so long been waiting. These people lived their lives believing that God would fulfill His promise to redeem His people. They lived in expectation every day.
We too can live in that spirit of anticipation. Jesus is our Redeemer. His death and resurrection provided the way for us to have a relationship with God. Now we live in expectation of the day when Jesus will return – the day when we will finally see Him face to face and know Him as He is. We wait for a day when we will be changed into His likeness, a day that will end sin and sorrow and pain.
Holy God, may the season of Christmas stir in my heart a yearning for the day when Jesus will return. Amen.
Questions: Why do we live in expectation? How can Christmas help us focus on what is most important?
About the Author Suzanne Benner
Tags: anticipation, carols, Christmas, decorations, expectation, fulfillment, holiday season, holidays, jerusalem, Jesus, Messiah, presents, redeem, Redeemer, stockings, Suzanne Benner
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during this time of the year everyone is more kind and more anticipating of things to come, we need the spirit of Christmas everyday, I love the Lord and am very grateful that God saw fit to send His only Son to die for me, so I anticipate is Glory and Love everyday.
Thank God for Jesus, His Word, and His Holy Spirit!
AMEN! What a good word! Lord, stir up our hearts into AWESOME anticipation! You are SO Good and Worthy! :)
Human nature says we “want to be excited”, we thrive on it, and it’s not an “often” feeling. It’s human nature as well to be impatient. This made me stop and think that b4 I get too “excited” about “things” and “events” through the end of this year and into the new year; I need to remind myself to be humble. Draw closer to Jesus and honor Him, putting Him first b4 ALL “things”….Thanks.