Christmas has always been my favorite time of year. I love everything about it: the music, the movies and TV specials, the lights, the decorations, the live Nativities, the shopping, the food, the parties, and the gathering of family and friends. But my favorite part of the Christmas season has always been the Christmas Eve candlelight service. There’s just something about candlelight. On Christmas Eve, the soft glow seems to fit the humble birth of our Savior.
As a kid, after the service, we sometimes took the long way home to look at the Christmas lights. Once we got home, we lit the last candle on the advent wreath that sat on top of our piano, sneaked a few cookies, then it was off to bed. I fell asleep in the golden glow from the electric candles burning in the windows and the mounting anticipation of Christmas morning.
Like most kids, my sister and I woke up early the next morning, but we weren’t allowed to go downstairs until our mom, grandmother, and great aunt were ready. We had to sit at the top of the stairs and wait and wait and wait. It killed us. They really knew how to build anticipation. I think they took longer than they needed just to torment us. And it did! “Please, hurry!” we begged. Knowing there were presents awaiting under the tree was almost more than we could bear!
When they finally had their hair combed and teeth brushed (and whatever else they felt was absolutely necessary to do before heading to the living room to open presents), we were told “Go ahead.” We barreled down the stairs, grabbing our stockings from where they hung, and plunged into them, eager to find the special surprises that were tucked inside. Christmas day had come!
I still love the feeling of anticipation at Christmas. I love seeing the anticipation on the faces of my grandchildren as we give out the presents and force them to wait to open them, taking turns and opening one gift at a time. I love having everybody gather together. And I still love the candlelight service.
This is, for sure, a season of anticipation. The advent season, in particular, with all the carols about Jesus’ birth, our savior coming as a baby. But I asked myself this year, am I anticipating Jesus’ return to earth with the same anticipation as Christmas? That day is also going to be a celebration with angels and trumpets and a gathering of God’s family. No soft candlelight—but the light of the world, the bright morning star, bursting onto the scene.
He won’t be coming as a baby this time, but as king—“Joy to the world, the Lord has come, let earth receive her king.” The advent of that day should also be a time of active preparation and joyful anticipation. We need to be ready to meet Jesus face to face. It’s like we’re sitting at the top of the stairs waiting with great anticipation and very soon, we’ll hear, “Go ahead, it’s time. Jesus has come!”
“So Christ, having been offered once to bear the sins of many, will appear a second time, not to deal with sin but to save those who are eagerly waiting for him.” Hebrews 9:28 ESV
Lisa J Radcliff ~ Finding Freedom from the Past 