Advent Expectations

A book I read as we approach the holiday season, “The Season of the Nativity: Confessions and Practices of an Advent, Christmas and Epiphany Extremist” by Sybil McBeth tells a wonderful story that brings home what we try to accomplish in our holiday celebrations here at the church. McBeth confesses her love of this approaching season and tells of the wonder and enchantment that held her captive as a child, and the tender moment when all wonder was lost (and this has nothing to do with Santa Claus).

As a teenager, Sybil’s mother approached her to ask what she wanted for Christmas. She responded with 3 very specific, somewhat expensive items. On Christmas day she opened her gifts and received all three of those items exactly as she asked for them. Somehow, it was the most depressing holiday she had ever experienced. Her mother spoke to her of the importance of gratefulness, but the depressed feelings would not leave. It was not until she reflected on that event as an adult that it occurred to her, this season is about EXPECTATION and ANTICIPATION, the unknown. When she reached an age of receiving all she asked for, she left no room for surprises.

I think this is what it means to enter into the Kingdom of God as a child. Israel prayed for a messiah and hoped it would be someone who would overthrow Roman oppression and set up a government that favored the Jewish nation. What they received, however, was very different. They received a helpless child born to people of no power or influence. How could this be the answer to all their heartfelt prayers? But God’s answer was to come and live among us, to know human suffering intimately, to teach and heal and guide us into a new way of looking at the world and living in relationship with the Holy One…and eventually God’s answer was to erase the stain of sin and conquer death and evil by taking all these things upon Himself…so much more than what they asked for.

Suppose God only gave us what we asked for, what then? Would we, too, be filled with that disappointing feeling of loss because we no longer had expectations for that which could amaze us? Advent is a season of waiting, that pregnant pause which happened just before God broke into human affairs and dwelt among us. Let us approach this season with anticipation for what God will do among us and prepare ourselves to receive the gift of His presence when we gather here in the months ahead.

Blessings,
Tracy