14 December 2008

Greetings Friends,

A good many years ago, when I was 3 years old, I remember Christmas morning. The house was dark when I awoke. There was a sheet hung over the doorway leading into the living room. My parents were still asleep. Believe it or not, I sat on the floor at the door to their bedroom and waited patiently for them to awaken. And…I did not even dare to peek into the living room. I remember being excited with anticipation – what did the Christmas tree look like? It was not decorated when I went to bed the night before. What presents did Santa bring this year? When would we leave to go to grandma and grandpa’s house? There was so much for a three-year old to look forward to – so much anticipation – and it was so hard to wait! Strange, but I do not remember much else about that particular Christmas – just the waiting for what felt like hours with excited anticipation. As I ponder this memory, I begin to wonder where that kind of anticipation went – how did the excitement of waiting for Christmas wane over the years? And, how can I get that feeling back but…in a new way.

Daring toward repetition, Advent is this wonderful season of preparation and anticipation. Yes we have our outward preparations; our own pre-Christmas traditions. And yet perhaps a question to ask ourselves is not really for what are we preparing or waiting, but for whom. How do we recreate in us a slice of childlike anticipation excitement during Advent? Maybe we don’t, at least not in the same way. I wonder if our Advent preparation is to be not so much about recapturing what once was, but more about accepting an invitation to experience the Light anew and embracing with anticipation where God might be leading us.

May we ponder all the ways God is leading us, pointing us toward fully receiving the true gift of Christmas – God’s deep and abiding Love.

Peace on the Journey