Advent Devotional December 20: Anticipating Christmas

Published December 20, 2017 by SMBC

And Mary said: ?My soul glorifies the Lord and my spirit rejoices in God my Savior, for he has been mindful of the humble state of his servant. From now on all generations will call me blessed, for the Mighty One has done great things for me - holy is his name.? Luke 1:46-49

By Marie Walton

The season of Advent is a time of wondrous anticipation for youngsters as they work on their Christmas lists and think about what gifts they will find on Christmas morning. You see joy in their eyes as they excitedly gaze through store windows wishing for that special day to finally get here. There are a myriad of songs focusing on the ?little ones, Christmas joys." We frequently hear people say that it would be wonderful to be a child again - to have that exuberance and joy, especially at Christmastime.

Mary probably had great trepidation as she awaited the birth of the Savior, but she also anticipated that first Christmas with much excitement and rejoicing!

Through the years, my anticipation of Christmas has taken many di?erent paths. Yes, of course, I had the childlike wonder as a young parent, the joy of fulfilling my children's desires, and now as a grandparent, experiencing that wonder through young eyes, once again. I also experience the stress of not having enough hours in the day to accomplish all that is required: choir rehearsals, baking, shopping, wrapping, traveling, visiting, and finding the time for that quiet time to focus on the true wonder of the season.

I love music, especially choral music, and I find the music of Christmas to be especially helpful in bringing me back to the joy of anticipating Christmas like Mary did. Lo, how a rose e?re blooming, that one small child that Mary did know about who was born in the mid bleak winter to save us all from Satan's power. Gloria in Excelsis Deo!

Gracious God our Savior, help us to unwrap the best present ever, the wonderful gift of salvation, and to let our spirits rejoice because Jesus is born. Joy to the world, it's Christmas! We are grateful, Mighty One, for you have done this great thing for us! Amen.

Marie Walton has been a member of South Main (for the second time) since last Christmas. She and David met here when they were in college and have three children and five grandchildren.