“…for behold, I proclaim to you good news of great joy that will be for all the people. For today in the city of David a savior has been born for you who is Christ and Lord.” (Luke 2:10-11)
Carly Simon (an entertainer from the 80’’s) gives us: “Anticipation, anticipation, is making me late, it’s keeping me waiting.” Well, a healthy sense of “anticipation” can often energize our lives and motivate us to get through tough times. We all need something to look forward to in life. In fact, a healthy sense of “anticipation” can often help energize our lives.
I’m sure we can all agree we have been, or someone close to us has been, through some tough times this past year. And now with all the fury of Covid and its strains increasing in strength and contagion, we may look to the future with some trepidation.
But Christmas is a time of joy for all the people. We are anticipating the birth of Christ. We celebrate the day our savior became one of us. It helps to give us an improved feeling of wellbeing. However, some people are happier in the anticipation of a holiday than in remembering the actual experience. It is the anticipation that is generating the joy.
Anticipation is a valuable emotion. It can allow us to gain pleasure from something that will only happen in the near future. Anticipation is a key stage in happiness. By having something to look forward to, no matter what your circumstances, you bring happiness into your life well before the event actually takes place.
Anticipation is a feeling of excitement about something pleasant or exciting that you know is going to happen. It can be the key driving force in motivating us and give us a sense of optimism toward the future. If we are having difficulty dealing with the past or even the present, anticipating what’s next can help get us through it. In other words, positive anticipation can be a particularly useful tool to help us get through the complexities of life or where we are now - the Christmas season.
It’s a wonderful time of the year. When we are planning for the holidays, it gives us a goal and can add meaning to our lives. It can be an outlet in which to use our creative energy and help us look forward to an event that’s fun and meaningful. It can be one of those things that help us through the night.
I know one thing about tough times – “the joy of the Lord is my strength” And looking beyond the stress is a way to cope. Anticipating an end to the tension is a way to see beyond it. Every tragedy has a resurrection experience. Sometimes we just need to look a little bit closer to see where God is and how He is bringing us through. I know that attending Mass, receiving the Eucharist, going to Confession, sitting in front of the Blessed Sacrament, praying every morning and doing all those wonderful things that God has given us to enrich our faith when times are good is what strengthens us for the tough times.
And what happens if what we anticipated doesn’t come to be? Well, I still know that on Christmas morning a miracle occurred. Our God became one of us-to save us. The truth is that something overwhelmingly positive had been accomplished by Christ’s willingness to not only be born, but also to suffer and die. From the Crib to the Cross and beyond Jesus saves us. He forgives our sin and gives us a piece of heaven here on earth even if we are carrying our cross at the same time.
Father we thank you for giving us heaven wrapped in the form of a newborn so small. And we thank you for the cross that helps us endure because we know we don’t carry it alone. We know that you are with us and that You endured a Crown of thorns so we could receive a Crown of Glory.
So, we wait in joyful anticipation for the coming of our Savior and it will not disappoint for His saving is full and complete. Merry Christmas.
May the peace of Christ be with you and your family this Blessed Christmas Season.
My suggestion for this week is the True Meaning of Christmas by Dr. Michael Barber.
Please join us this week to worship with us!