“What are you expecting this Christmas?”, the words fell on me like the first flakes of snow on a winter’s morning.

As we enter into this Advent Season, it is time to think about what we are waiting for. I find it intriguing that the definition of advent is “a coming into being.” Is that Jesus coming into being or is it me? Or maybe it is Jesus coming into being, in me. Regardless, this all excites me and makes me think of that old Christmas hymn, “Come Thou Long Expectant Jesus, born to set your people free.” (click here to listen) 

How long have I been waiting for Jesus?

I don’t have to ponder long to realize I am anxiously anticipating the birth of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ this year. I am not sure what is different but something is mysteriously hopeful. In Christmas’s past, I have focused on the gifts, both buying and wrapping, and the revolving door of festivities. My intention is to get “through” Christmas not “to” Christmas.

This year reminds me of how I felt leading up to my son’s birth. Conceiving wasn’t easy for us. So once it happened, I became super excited to meet this new little person growing inside of me. I prepared the nursery and myself for the big day. But nothing could prepare me for the amount of love that I would feel the moment my son was born. That new love didn’t stop there. It continued growing bigger and bigger with each passing moment, day and year.

I felt little bits of that love leading up to his birth. Slivers of excitement, laced with joy and hope as we anticipated our new arrival. I felt blessed to be carrying him inside of me. The day he was born was an advent into itself. He came into being. God was with us and I felt highly favored.

Granted my son is now 15 years old and nostalgia has obviously set in. I’ve forgotten how painful child birth really was. Those sleepless nights are a memory of long ago. I didn’t realize it then, but the day he was born, there was another advent taking place as I became his mother.

Luke 1:30 NIV;

The angel Gabriel went to Mary and said, “Greetings, you who are highly favored! The Lord is with you.”

This troubled Mary and the angel knew it. He continued, “Do not be afraid, Mary; you have found favor with God. ³¹ You will conceive and give birth to a son, and you are to call him Jesus. ³² He will be great and will be called the Son of the Most High...”

Just like Mary, we are highly favored. I think it is because Christ has come and the Lord is with us. He is our Emmanuel. At this acknowledgement, our advent is here and we are coming into being who God created us to be. I am expecting Jesus to be born in me this Christmas and every day there after. This is a time to celebrate.

So what can we do in anticipation of Jesus’ birth?

1. Stop and acknowledge this holiday is about Jesus. He really is “the reason for the season.”
2. Get excited about what is about to be.
3. Sing your favorite Christmas Carols. (“Silent Night”, “Away in a Manger”, “O Come O Come Emmanuel”, “Joy to the World”)
4. Ponder the words of those carols as they tell the story.
5. Read the story from your Bible with friends and family.
6. Reflect on what it means for Jesus to be born in you.
7. Go to a Christmas Eve service.

What are you expecting this Christmas? I’m anticipating Jesus. I must prepare my house and myself. As hopeful and anxious as I am, I will be awaiting his arrival. Knowing like birthing my son was just the beginning, so is it with Jesus. Don’t let Christmas stop at the passing of the day. Allow Jesus to be born in you each and every day after and experience the overwhelming love of the Father who graciously gives us all good gifts.

Let us pray;

Dear Lord, thank you for this advent season. Thank you that we have this time to prepare for our coming Lord. Thank you that as we wait for Him, You are waiting for us. Help us to make it about Jesus. In Jesus Name, Amen. -M