Advent Anticipation
Anticipation: noun – the action of anticipating something; expectation or prediction.
We’re entering the season of Advent, a time when we look forward to or anticipate the celebration of Jesus’ birth. I’ve been thinking about that word – anticipation. It’s something we usually experience this time of year. Our children certainly anticipate the parties, presents, and everything else that makes Christmas exciting and fun. Many anticipate family gatherings and special moments. Some even anticipate the upcoming Christmas movies (Hallmark anyone?).
But what is there to anticipate when we’re not excited or looking forward to these things? What if we are in a crisis or a loved one is sick? What if family is far away or the uncertainty of Covid has us wondering if we can see them this year? What if all of the things that usually bring us joy have been stripped away? Can we still look forward to a “merry” Christmas?
I have to admit that the last few Christmases have felt like more of a bother than anything. I have had this feeling of malaise, a kind of ambivalence to what normally would be a time of anticipation and planning. I realize that my children are older and the excitement over Christmas isn’t the same. Last year’s celebrations were not what I hoped for and I’m concerned it will be the same this year. I have family who live far away and we won’t be able to get together this year. I miss those who used to be around at Christmas and are no longer with us.
Some of my Christmas blues have been because I can’t celebrate the way I want to, admittedly a more selfish reason. But some of it is due to factors I can’t control and I don’t see them changing. In a way I lost hope.
But then I come back to this word – anticipation. How can I enter into anticipation during this season even when my circumstances haven’t really changed? I feel God’s still small voice calling me, inviting me into something fresh and new. I am being invited to experience anticipation in a whole new way. I feel this Advent season is a part of this invitation. An invitation to turn my eyes on the One who brings hope, gives new dreams, and loves me in all of my brokenness.
We often celebrate Advent with an Advent wreath and daily Bible readings or meditations. Traditionally, the Advent wreath has five candles, one for each Sunday before Christmas and the fifth for Christmas day. We light one candle each week, adding candles as we count toward the big celebration. Historically, it was used to help children count down the weeks to Christmas. I think it’s a great way to continue that tradition and help us remember why we, as followers of Jesus, celebrate this time of year.
Each candle has a name or word for us to reflect on: Hope, Peace, Joy, Love, and the Christ candle. I’ve heard these words so many times that it’s easy for me to rush over them and lose out on what they really mean. Each word is an opportunity to reflect on what it means that God incarnated – became human and lived a human life. Because God “became flesh” you and I can experience real hope, lasting peace, true joy, and the lavish love of God. These are all gifts wrapped up in the coming of baby Jesus so many years ago.
I was recently on a spiritual retreat and one of the exercises we did was to pull a rock from a bag and reflect on the word that was inscribed on it. There was no special process for this. We were simply invited to ask God to reveal to us what he wanted to say through that word. We held onto our rock throughout the retreat and could keep it in our pocket or put it somewhere we would see it regularly. At the end of the retreat we celebrated communion together and each person shared how God had spoken to them through their word. I was amazed at how profoundly each person had been impacted. I realized that when I open myself to God and what he wants to say to me, he speaks to me in very meaningful ways.
Physical objects, like the Advent wreath, candles, and calendars, can be tools to help us focus on celebrating Jesus’ birth in a new way. Having your children take part in lighting the candles (or maybe it’s turning on the LED candle!), reading from the Bible, or finding something in an Advent calendar, can be ways that we encourage them to focus on Jesus throughout this season.
In our families, we can invite each other to reflect on the gifts of Advent. The gifts of hope, peace, joy, and love all wrapped up in Jesus. There are many resources that are available to help you do this. You can check out the links below. Prayerfully ask God to show you how you can experience the anticipation that he wants to bring into your life and your family’s life this season of Advent.
- Advent for preschoolers
- All the Colors of Christmas Advent calendar for families of elementary age children
- Restore Brightness Advent Guide from CBAC
Sarah Cogswell is Pastor of Children and Families at The Journey Church in Moncton, NB, Canada. She and her husband David have been married for 23 years and are parents to three amazing teenage boys. She spent 9 years caring for children in her home, and has hosted 17 international students throughout the years. She is currently working on her Master of Divinity through Acadia Divinity College and enjoys learning and experiencing ministry and faith all at the same time. You can contact Sarah by emailing sarah@onthejourney.ca.