Building One Another  

Therefore encourage oneanother and build one another up, just as you are doing.

I Thessalonians 5:11

The Excitement of Anticipation

DearFriend,                                

All of my life I have loved the eve of Christmas Eve almost as much as Christmas Eve itself – our anticipation peaks knowing Christmas is finally almost here.

When our  children were young, Ann Marie and I would wake very early on Christmas morning with the kids in maximum anticipation jumping up and down on our bed shouting, “Wake UP. It’sChristmas!”

When the kids older, they preferred to sleep in and I’d find myself waking early and in maximum anticipation wanting to go jump up and down on their beds shouting, “Wake UP. It’sChristmas!”

Now, in the early morning I just lie awake and savor the moment. After the busy Advent season, it’s wonderful to just stop and think about those I love wherever they are and to freshly affirm the blessing Jesus is.

God has given us such a wonderful capacity to anticipate, to look forward to what is to come, to experience the anticipation that comes with faith.

It is true that anticipation can be a negative experience when we yield to various fears and anxieties. Yet, anticipation can also be an amazingly positive experience. Our Lord invites us to shift our anticipation to what God is doing and to find peace.

“Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. Philippians4:6-7*

“Come Thou long expected Jesus, born to set they people free (Charles Wesley).”

Merry Christmas – E. Stanley Ott

© Copyright2019 E. Stanley Ott
*Scripture from the ESV

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What are the aspects of Christmas that you look forward to, you anticipate?

Think of a moment in your life where you experienced a "broken anticipator," and that which you anticipated did not come to pass.

Reflect on this promise and "For all the promises of God find their Yes in Jesus." 2 Corinthians 2:20  Know that what God promises and thus what you may anticipate will come to pass based on God's wonderful faithfulness to you.