Already the lights of Christmas can be seen everywhere. It was several weeks ago that the stores began to try to entice us to begin our Christmas shopping. The Christmas parades have begun. The excitement of Christmas is in the air. We have entered into a time of expectation — a time filled with promise.
The very fact that this time of year is a time filled with promise is what fuels the anticipation of children. They eagerly look forward to Christmas Day. They can hardly wait to see what will be under the Christmas tree. The hustle, bustle and demands of Christmas may drive the excitement of the season out of the hearts of adults, but for children this time of year is nothing but excited anticipation of what is to come.
And it is anticipation that lies at the heart of Advent. Anticipation of a promise — God’s promise. Advent is a time to remember the promises of God. To recall both what God has done in fulfilling his promises and what God still promises to do. It is a time to remember how God fulfilled the promise of the prophets that a savior would be born. It is time to remember the birth of baby Jesus in Bethlehem. But it is also time to remember the promises of God yet to be fulfilled. To remember with hope the promise of peace throughout the world. Of deep, lasting joy. Of love that extends to everyone. Of a hope fulfilled. Of God’s kingdom fully visible in our midst.
Advent is a time of expectation. It is a time of rejoicing in the God’s fulfillment of promises and a time of waiting for God to completely fulfill His promises.