An Extraordinary Moment

In Frederick Buechner's book, Beyond Words, as he describes Advent, he first uses three illustrations:

1. Imagine the moment before the conductor begins directing the orchestra - every instrument tuned and ready, the baton in the air. The room is silent in anticipation of the first note. 
2. Imagine midwinter dusk, and the anticipatory silence of the world. 
3. Imagine walking up to a front door and catching a whiff in the air of what is inside - maybe a crock pot cooking a roast, or a cake baking - but the only clue you have is the fragrance of anticipation.

Those moments are like Advent. Buechner writes, "The extraordinary thing that is about to happen is matched only by the extraordinary moment just before it happens. Advent is the name of that moment.” 

Today is Christmas Eve. It is the extraordinary moment just before Christmas happens. It is as if the world is holding its breath in anticipation. In the rush of preparation, if we will be still and quiet, for just a moment, we can sense it. We can hear the wind blowing through the trees, whispering the coming of Christ. We can almost detect the coming of the ringing of church bells. In the glistening of the Christmas lights, we be feel the soft heat of the love of Christ, coming into the world. 

This evening, before you go to bed, take a moment to be still, and to anticipate. Christmas is coming. It is an extraordinary moment.