Anticipation

This time of year can be described by one word – Anticipation. Almost everyone experiences anticipation in some way.

To some people anticipation is a good thing. They start playing the Christmas music, decorating the tree, and hanging the lights. The days get counted down. Each day is crossed off on the calendar. Each card written, present purchased and wrapped helps build the anticipation of the festivities of Christmas. For many teachers and students anticipation describes the days leading up to ‘Christmas Break.’

For some, anticipation is not so good. Every part of the build up to Christmas serves to remind them of something. The anticipation of Christmas time might be a tainted by a memory, a broken relationship, some sort of rejection, another year going by without seeing a loved one. Every part of the buildup brings anxiety, dread, fear, regret, disappointment and depression.

Years ago, Carly Simon sang the words – ‘Anticipation is making me wait, is keeping me waiting.’ The coming of Jesus into the world can be described by that one word - Anticipation.

When Jesus came into the world God’s people had been anticipating a deliverer for hundreds of years. Moses had described a deliverer; the prophets had foretold the coming of a ‘Messiah.’ History tells us that during the span of Jesus’ life there were at least 18 different ‘messiah’ candidates who claimed they would lead a deliverance from Rome for the people of God.

The anticipation was so powerful that Luke describes a couple of elderly people who spent night and day in the temple waiting, praying and looking for the Messiah. Simeon, a devout elderly man, had been promised by the Holy Spirit that he would see the Messiah before he died. Ana, described as a prophetess, was waiting, praying and looking for the Messiah.

Anticipation was a state that the people of God lived in. It was so strong that many followed some of these ‘messiah’ candidates. 2000 followers of one of these men were executed on crosses that lined the roads around Galilee, the region that Jesus lived in. He would have walked the roads lined with corpses on crosses. Anticipation was in the air.

Anticipation is also a word that could describe followers of Jesus down through 2000 years as they await His return. The Apostle Paul writes to Timothy, the church leader in Ephesus, about a ‘crown of righteousness’ that will be given to those who anticipate, to those who have ‘longed for his appearing.’ (2 Timothy 4:8 NIV) The crown is available to everyone. The crown will only be given to those who ‘anticipate’ His return.

Anticipation, it is in the air. Are you anticipating His return? Are you living like it?