Expectancy

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Christmas Morning

Did you ever have a Christmas that just felt magical*? My sixth Christmas was like this. I vividly remember rubbing my sleepy eyes while walking from our kitchen to the living room where the ten foot Christmas tree stood. My mom loved enormous trees, saturated in lights and tinsel, with not a single space left for another Hallmark ornament. Our tree could top any Griswold tree, and I loved it.

That Christmas morning, the room was still dark, lit by only the lights on the tree. It seemed to sparkle more brightly than usual. It felt magical*. In front of the tree sat what had been on the top of my Christmas wish list, a Barbie Dream House.

Next to the orange and yellow mansion stood Barbie’s two horses, a black horse named Midnight, and a palomino named Dallas. Next to the horses, in her beautiful pink box, stood Barbie herself. This doll was one I had dreamed of. You might remember her. She was Western Barbie, and if you pushed a button on her back, she winked.

A White Christmas

This was the first of several Christmases that had that special feel to it. Another one that comes to mind was after moving to Montana. I had never experienced a white Christmas before.

On Christmas Eve, we arrived at the little country church my husband pastored. The church looked like one you would find in a ceramic Christmas village. It was white with Christmas wreaths with bright red bows hanging on each door. There was a wooden nativity lit up in the front, and the snow sparkled while falling. I felt like I was on the set of a movie because I had experienced nothing like it before.

The Christmas season always brings me a sense of peace and draws me to a time of reflection. I feel a longing to have the perfect service, the perfect weather, and the right people around me. My Christmas expectations are high, which, if I am not careful, can lead to lots of disappointments.

Spiritual Darkness

The Jews at the time of Jesus’ birth were experiencing anything but peace. Rome ruled over them, and Herod was king in Jerusalem. Amongst their own people were four different groups trying to gain control; the Pharisees, the Saducees, the Essenes, and the Zealots. Taxes were high and there was spiritual abuse from the religious leaders demanding tithes. Plus, they had not heard from God in over four centuries. The Jews were in a place of spiritual darkness. They had high expectations for a savior, king, and/or warrior to come and rescue them.

Isaiah prophesied….

“The people who walk in darkness will see a great light. For those who live in a land of deep darkness, a light will shine. You will enlarge the nation of Israel, and its people will rejoice. They will rejoice before you as people rejoice at the harvest and, like warriors, dividing the plunder. For you will break the yoke of their slavery and lift the heavy burden from their shoulders. You will break the oppressor’s rod, just as you did when you destroyed the army of Midian. The boots of the warrior and the uniforms bloodstained by war will all be burned. They will be fuel for the fire.

For a child is born to us, a son is given to us. The government will rest on his shoulders. And he will be called: Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. His government and its peace will never end. He will rule with fairness and justice from the throne of his ancestor David for all eternity. The passionate commitment of the Lord of Heaven’s Armies will make this happen!”

Isaiah 9:2-7 NLT

Experiencing the darkness of the day and reading prophecies of the One to come had to bring them hope. They hoped and prayed He would come and expected Him to come as a mighty king.

Expectations

What they expected and what they got were two different things. Jesus came into the world, born of a virgin, in a lowly manger. He did not come powerful, but in the meekness of a child. He did not come riding on a stallion, but among the smelly animals in the manger.

When we wait, we too build our own expectations. I shared before of how I knew God had big plans for me. In my arrogance, I waited for Him to tell me a great calling He would have for me and then asked me to be my husband’s support. You can read about that here. When we wait, we dream and believe what we think God will do.

When He asks us to wait, which is more than we would like, we must come with a God expectancy. Expecting that He will do what He says He will do, but we must remain open to what that will look like.

God-Sized Expectations

When we expect God-sized expectations, we benefit so much more. The Jews wanted a David-like king, but they got a baby. In their disappointment, they missed the Savior. They missed the King of kings and Lord of lords. In their rejection of Him not coming as they expected, they missed the saving grace, the healings, and eternal life He offers. He offers so much more than just freedom over the rulers of the day.

I can’t help but think about His second coming. With our political environment as it is, there are days I long for the second coming. I know what I read about His return, but I believe it will be so much more than I could even fathom.

As we approach Christmas, no matter what situation you find yourself in, I pray you come with a God sized expectancy of what He will do in your life. Share on X

As we approach Christmas, no matter what situation you find yourself in, I pray you come with a God sized expectancy of what He will do in your life.

*Using the term magical, I do not mean witchcraft or use of magic. I mean it in a whimsical since. I use it as defined by google; beautiful or delightful in such a way as to seem removed from everyday life.

Check out these amazing stocking stuffers.