Can you believe it’s December already? The one thing I know is December is
going to fly by just as this year has done.
The second thing I know is Christmas always sneaks up on me. With the hustle and bustle that happens before Christmas day, I often feel as though I am not ready for Christmas to arrive. I anticipate the day of arrival because I love being with the kids, I love being surrounded by family, and I love presents. I even like the buildup before the day arrives. I enjoy the gatherings, I love the day I spend baking cookies with my friends, I love the music and the worship services. I do not like the decorating, but I do enjoy the lights and surrounding myself with Nativity scenes.
Yet, every year, I feel as though the day has come too quickly and caught me off guard and does not live up to the hype, I have built it to be in my mind.
I can’t help but wonder if this is how the Israelites felt when the Messiah was finally born. They had spent years waiting for their King to come. They spent those years anticipating as we do each Advent. They spent years preparing their hearts as we are called to do each Advent. I wonder if they felt let down when the Messiah came in the form of a baby instead of a Mighty King as they had hoped? All the hype, all the preparations, all the anticipations and now they are faced with the reality of God’s plan and not their expectation. Maybe this tug of war between anticipation
and expectation is why Christmas days may seem a little empty to us.
I pray this Advent Season you spend enough time anticipating God’s plan that all your expectations line up to fill you with peace, love, joy, and hope that only this Season can bring. Happy Advent and Merry Christmas!!
Wishing you a heart filled with the gift of Christ and a soul filled with peace.
Pastor Linda
Pastor Linda’s Cell Phone: 585 330-0618
Pastor Linda’s Office e-mail: pastorlinda11@gmail.com