Anticipation

Anticipation
The chosen people
Preparing for the coming of a Messiah.
He would be a descendant of David
Powerful
Bringing freedom
A return to glory.
Instead they found a baby,
born powerless by their standards.

Mary
Told that she would give birth
To a son, who would be great
Who would hold the thrown of his father David
Who would be called the Son of the Most High
Did she anticipate the tiny child?
Did you understand the horrible death?
Was she prepared for the truth?

Even the animals
Living in the stable
Found what they were not expecting.
In their manger
Was a baby.
Unanticipated.

Child for us sinners
poor, and in the manger,
we would embrace thee
with love and awe.
Who would not love thee,
loving us so dearly?

Today, what do we anticipate?
Do we stand on Thanksgiving day,
and anticipate a Christmas season with dread?
Do we look forward to December 26?
Have we made December a month so full
of schedules and to do lists,
that we miss the incarnation of Christ?
Incarnation in the hearts of our children,
In the words of our friends,
In the fellowship of Communion?

Today, do we plan our spending,
our investment in gift giving
with such unenthusiastic routine,
that we miss the homeless man on the street?
That we forget the child without a coat?
That we ignore the blessing
of the actual grace of a gift?

Anticipation.
Do we see Christmas through the eyes of God,
or through our own eyes?
Do we see the rush,
the weight of tradition,
the heaviness of doing the expected?
Or do we see grace,
wonder,
gratitude,
and thanksgiving?
Do we anticipate a Christ child in a manger,
Or do we anticipate when the season is finally over?

Italic stanza is verse #5 from O Come all Ye Faithful.