Christmas day will soon be here and I can hardly wait. Christmas day will soon be here and I can hardly wait. The Lord's birthday is coming; soon it will be coming and I can hardly wait.
It's the famous chorus of nearly all preschool Christmas musicals. Can you imagine preschoolers singing it, shouting, "Wait." with everything they have. I remember one preschool concert where the group sang that little song and the little hats that sat upon their heads would fall off their heads every time that they shouted, "WAIT." It is still a delightful memory to me.
As the year comes full circle, it comes time to make ready for Christmas once again. The preparations and planning and spirit of Christmas have been moving forward in a deliberate pace, gathering in a torrent of pleasant anticipation.
Anticipation is rampant as the holiday rapidly approaches. What will this year's Christmas be like Who will come to visit? Will Grandma fix her famous fudge? What do you suppose is in the big box hidden in mom and dad's closet? Will he love my Christmas gift? Will I get what was on my Christmas list?
Remember, when we were young and our adrenaline would be in overdrive by the time we had to be in bed on Christmas Eve. Remember the tossing and turning and the waiting for sleep to come. The dreams of what the morning would bring. Then with all the planning, preparing, hoping and waiting over, Christmas Day finally arrives. The Lord's Birthday is here. Even as an adult and a parent, I still can hardly sleep the night before Christmas awaiting all that the day will bring.
I'm sure that many of you feel the same way. It can't be helped. Christmas is bathed in anticipation and hope. It is the way it began. Think of Isaiah's prophetic words in Chapter 9.
"The people walking in darkness have seen a great light; on those living in the land of the shadow of death a light has dawned.
"For to us a child is born, to us a son is given,
"And the government will be on his shoulders.
"And he will be called Wonderful Counselor,
"Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.
"Of the increase of his government and peace there will be no end.
"He will reign on David's throne and over his kingdom,
"Establishing and upholding it with justice and righteousness
"From that time on and forever.
"The zeal of the Lord Almighty will accomplish this." Isaiah 9:2, 6-7
(New International Version)
Can't you sense the anticipation in those glorious words? Our Savior is coming. Emmanuel is here. God is with us.
More than any other time of the year we anticipate. We look for transformation.
We behold the Christ-child and we marvel at His majesty. His name is on our lips. God draws near.
Our eyes are open to all the wonders of His presence. The Lord's birthday is here. So take time to anticipate His spirit. Rejoice in the wonder of a mighty God who comes close to us. And consider that our anticipation of the Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace, whose spirit is in us does not end at the close of Christmas Day, but continues with us each and every day as we choose to embrace His glorious gift of salvation.
- Sue Musselman is the youth pastor at Capital Christian Center in Carson City and is a member of the Carson City Christian Ministerial Fellowship.