19 Days to Christmas.  December 6, 2020

“Great Expectations”

What are you expecting this Christmas?  Is it a certain gift, a favorite food, a familiar tradition or maybe a beloved movie?  When I was a child, I remember my sister and I waiting at the doorstep for the milkman.  The milkman would arrive early in the morning, and, at this time of year, sometimes he would bring special Christmas ice-cream treats.  Even though it was early in the morning, we would beg our mom to let us have one of the Holiday treats.  We expected them every year, bringing us great JOY in the process.  

Expectations are a big part of our Holiday experience.   Sometimes our expectations are fulfilled in ways that we expect while other times we are surprised.  Sometimes, when the milkman would arrive, he would bring us treats in a different color, or shape, or flavor.  That was exciting! 

Expectations have been an important part of the Christmas experience since the very beginning.  Before Jesus arrived, the Hebrews had been waiting for the coming Messiah.  However, they did not know how God was going to fulfill their expectations.  It seems that most of the people were expecting a military leader that would lead them to victory in battle, not a shepherd who would heal their afflictions.

God always fulfills His promises.  But often, God answers our prayers and fulfills our expectations in ways that we don’t expect.  This Christmas, our expectations are probably not as grand as they’ve been in previous years.  However, this may be exactly what we need, allowing for God to come to us in new, unexpected ways.

What are you expecting this Christmas?  Whatever it might be, make sure to include God on your list of expectations.  God always delivers, in the best way at the best time.

“The woman said, ‘I know that the Messiah is coming, the one who is called the Christ.  When he comes, he will teach everything to us’” (John 4:25, NLT).