Do you wish you could recapture the emotions you had as a child at Christmas time? Do you remember the intensity of that anticipation? It was pretty all-encompassing, wasn’t it? Is there a feeling more powerful than that of a child’s anticipation at Christmas?
I often found myself saying to my dad, “I can’t wait for Christmas [or any other big upcoming event.]!” To which he would ALWAYS reply, “Well, what are you going to do if you can’t wait?” Such a simple exchange, but it has stayed with me all these many years. Unbridled joy at what lie ahead.
There is a level of joy that comes with childhood Christmas anticipation that is difficult to replicate as an adult. I suppose that is inevitable as the responsibilities of adulthood weigh us down. Enjoying the anticipatory joy through the eyes of your children or grandchildren might be the best we can do nowadays.
And then…Christmas is over! Staying in the “child-perspective” mode, do you also remember the letdown once the presents were opened, the friends and relatives went back home and all too soon, you had to go back to school?
Not NEAR as much fun as the anticipation, was it? Such is the roller coaster world of a child at Christmas!
The comparison I want to draw is between the mountaintop high of the anticipation and the valley low once it’s all over. Pretty stark difference. What’s left are some warm memories to sustain the child (although probably not until adulthood!), but they will never rise to the level of the Christmas morning rush.
So, how can we, as adults, cultivate that same anticipatory joy that we see in the children? Likely we’ve all been tainted a bit by life’s realities. And we don’t REALLY expect to replicate that level of child-like joy, do we? Can we?
The answer lies in WHAT we anticipate. If it’s presents and food and events or even time with loved ones, we always run the risk of being disappointed. None of those things can provide us with long-term anticipatory joy.
But, oh how we want something that will!
Think, for a moment, about what you’re currently looking forward to. Maybe a new child or grandchild. Maybe a long-overdue vacation. Maybe a promotion. Maybe retirement. There are, rightfully, many things that we can “anticipate.” But, they will come and go and be replaced by the next big upcoming event.
Wouldn’t it be great if we could anticipate an event that will NEVER lose its power?
We can, if we look first to the manger – and then to the cross.
This week we celebrate the birth of Jesus, the Savior of the world. HIGHLY anticipated over 2,000 years ago and still today. But the life that began in that lowly manger ended in agony on the cross of Calvary. Even Jesus didn’t anticipate THAT with joy. In Luke 22:42, this was Jesus’ plea, “Father, if you are willing, remove this cup from me. Nevertheless, not my will, but yours, be done.”
So, this perfect child, born in that manger, went on to pay the penalty for our sins on that horrific cross SO THAT we could experience unimaginable joy. He did the hard work of sacrifice. Our job is to confess our sins to God, turn from them, and trust that Jesus’ sacrifice was sufficient to give us so much more than just the anticipatory joy of heaven.
Unlike the fading joy of opened presents, anticipating the joy of Heaven will just be a mere shadow of the reality of Heaven. And it’s never-ending. Joy unending! Can you imagine anything better?
Eternity with Jesus sitting next to God on His throne, praising Him along with the throngs of believers who have gone before us. Wow! I hope you can stop for a moment, close your eyes, and try to imagine a time as wonderful as that.
It’s there for all who put their trust in Christ, and His finished work on the Cross. Yes, enjoy (and anticipate) Christmas this week for all that it represents. But when the shine comes off that joy, remember where the story takes us – living forever in the presence of God and His glory.
I look forward to the day when my pathetic little anticipatory joy bursts into the fullness of all that God intends for his children. Ponder that, my friends, during this holy season. Carry THAT joy in your heart throughout the year.
Merry Christmas to you and your families. May God bless you with all that really matters.
For to us a child is born, to us a son is given;
and the government shall be upon his shoulder,
and his name shall be called
Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God,
Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.
Isaiah 9:6
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