Today, Reed and I are celebrating our Christmas. It's just barely 8 am, and I'm already wide awake for our breakfast and present time. Reed is still in bed.
When we were kids, it was almost impossible to fall asleep the night before Christmas. Our family didn't do the Santa thing, but I could still barely handle the excitement of the next day. We all slept under the Christmas tree, playing games and finding padding for our little floor beds. It was a special time for us.
Last night, I found that kid still exists in me. I could not go to sleep and when I did, I woke up often thinking about the next day. Even though it's just a small celebration for Reed and I, I was giddy with the prospect of "tomorrow morning".
During one of the sleepless moments last night, I connected my anticipation for Christmas with something we'd talked about at school last week. We'd shared a few Christmas-themed topics with the students, and on Friday I prepared a children's story time. I read The Best Christmas Pageant Ever, and I was surprised by the power of this simple book. In short, a family of rotten, mismatched kids hear the story of Jesus for the first time, and they give a genuine, loving retelling of his beginnings on earth.
As I read the story, I was struck by the power of Jesus' coming. When Jesus came, many were expecting him. They were hoping for him and waiting for his arrival. Isaiah tells us of all that we hoped for:
"The people walking in darkness
have seen a great light;
on those living in the land of deep darkness
a light has dawned."
"For to us a child is born,
to us a son is given,
and the government will be on his shoulders.
And he will be called
Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God,
Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.
Of the greatness of his government and peace
there will be no end.
He will reign on David’s throne
and over his kingdom,
establishing and upholding it
with justice and righteousness
from that time on and forever.
The zeal of the Lord Almighty
will accomplish this."
(Isaiah 9:2; 6-7)
What a hope that was! How incredible it would have been to wait and pray and trust - then to hear of Jesus finally arriving. This is the greatest story of joyful anticipation.
I'm sure others are like this, but I often get sad and disappointed after Christmas. The excitement is over, the decorations go back in boxes and we return to our routines. The anticipation is done for another year.
Think of how neat the story of Jesus is, though. He came as a baby and satisfied the joy of every longing heart. Then, he spent his 33 years her until he died for us. All for us. Then he returned to be with the Father. And now, we get to return to a state of joyful anticipation.
Though many of my students were sure that last Friday was our last day on earth, we survived. We don't know when Jesus will come again. In the meantime, we can make life about joyfully waiting for him. More than that, we can joyfully be with him.
I'm excited to celebrate in the next week. This morning will begin the fun stuff, but I hope to remain in this mindset. Jesus was one highly anticipated gift - let's remember how significant his coming was and is today.
{My favorite Christmas song}
Come, Thou long expected Jesus
Born to set Thy people free;
From our fears and sins release us,
Let us find our rest in Thee.
Israel’s Strength and Consolation,
Hope of all the earth Thou art;
Dear Desire of every nation,
Joy of every longing heart.
Born Thy people to deliver,
Born a child and yet a King,
Born to reign in us forever,
Now Thy gracious kingdom bring.
By Thine own eternal Spirit
Rule in all our hearts alone;
By Thine all sufficient merit,
Raise us to Thy glorious throne.