Thankful Anticipation

Growing up in southeastern New Mexico my family didn't live very close to any relatives. I remember multiple visits to my grandparent's house for Christmas, but recall only a handful of times when relatives ever came to our desert home to visit...holidays or not.

The exception was my mother's first cousin who lived about two hours away. He was a bachelor who loved to hunt birds. Uncle Don, as we called him, was a school teacher so Thanksgiving vacation provided a nice chunk of time for him to spend in hunting bliss. His itinerary usually brought him in close proximity to our house so he usually popped in on Thanksgiving Day.

I liked my uncle, but I loved his hunting dogs. He usually arrived with a pair of Britney Spaniels and, if we were lucky, a puppy or two! The dogs always caused a stir with my siblings and me, especially when there were puppies to play with.

The tricky thing about my uncle's visits were that we never knew exactly when he'd arrive. We always expected him, but never knew just when he'd show up. We also knew he'd be accompanied by dogs, but the more pressing question was, would he have puppies? Every Thanksgiving morning I awoke with a sense of anticipation. The thought of company was exciting, but the prospect of puppies was intoxicating. When Uncle Don finally pulled up in front of our house in his beat up, 1960's VW bug, the house became a flurry of activity as my family welcomed our guest and I watched to see what type of furry animals would bound from the tiny vehicle.

For many of us, the holidays cause our homes to buzz like beehives as we anticipate the arrival of loved ones and festive celebrations. Excited moods permeate even the darkest corners of our lives. Being with loved ones, reconnecting with friends, and celebrating our blessings and Jesus really gets the holiday blood pumping. It is a magical time. But let me ask you this...do you get as giddy when you think of Jesus' arrival? I'll admit I am a bit more giddy over Thanksgiving and Christmas because they are more tangible in nature. Everywhere I look there are signs and decorations ushering in the wonderful season. Don't get me wrong, I look forward to Christ's return, but sometimes not with the excitement that it deserves.

If I'm having a bad day or week, my heart and mind are much more ready for Jesus to come and whisk me away. However, when I'm preparing for my college-aged son to come home for the holidays, wrapping presents, or doing other fun things, my anticipatory attitude for Jesus is shoved to the back burner. That doesn't sound very Christian does it? It's attitudes like that that make me thankful that God remembers we are from dust (Psalm 103:14)...especially when I think and act more like dirt clod than a child of God.

How can we stay excited for Christ's arrival in the midst of the holidays or, for that matter, everyday life? One of the things that gets me back on track is to read the wonderful event recorded in Revelation 17:11-14.

"Then I saw heaven open, and there was a white horse! Its rider was called Faithful and True, and in righteousness he judges and makes war. His eyes are like a flame of fire, and on his head are many diadems; and he has a name inscribed that no one knows but himself. He is clothed in a robe dipped in blood, and his name is called The Word of God. And the armies of heaven, wearing fine linen, white and pure, were following him on white horses." (NRSV)

Boy, just picturing that event makes me tingle like the times I waited expectantly for my Uncle Don and his dogs. Reading the actual account of what we can expect makes Jesus' return as tangible as loved ones knocking on my front door. Revelation doesn't mention any puppies when our Lord returns, but I can get excited about the most magnificent horse in the universe carrying the greatest leader this world will ever know. I don't want to get theological here, but I think there's a real possibility that some of us, yes, you and me, will be in that army "following him on white horses." Hmm, ride a fiery horse from heaven or play with a puppy? I think I'll pick the fiery horse next to Jesus and the saints any day. What about you?

So, as we anticipate joyous times with family and friends this holiday season, practical Christianity reminds us to reserve a part of our hearts to show thankful anticipation for the arrival of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ...even if we aren't exactly sure when He will come.

 

(c)2008 Shona Neff 

 

Comments

[Venus]

Oh my gosh we so have to talk about this one! :)