Monday, December 7, 2009

Good Things Come to Those Who Wait

In my previous post, I bragged about finishing my Christmas shopping. And wrapping everything. While I am still proud of this feat, I also realize that I have sort of set myself up for an anti-climactic holiday season. The errands and general December frenzy are no longer with me. And, well, now I'm a little disappointed that I have to wait another 3 weeks for Christmas, because I am ready now. Pathetic, aren't I?

Peter had this great Sunday School lesson for our kindergartners on Sunday (not sure how much seeped in, because that day turned out to be a behavioral, shall we say, challenge--I was home with two sick girls, but apparently the term "lock-down" was employed!). The lesson was about the angels God sent to Mary to tell her she was going to be a mother, The Mother. Peter started out by asking what things the kids are seeing that tell them Christmas is coming--Christmas trees, gingerbread men, Santa at the mall, songs on the radio, etc. He asked how all these signs made them feel--happy, excited, ready for Christmas, right? The anticipation (big word for kindergartners) keeps building. God sent the angel as a sign to Mary, and she also began to anticipate what would be happening. He talked about what "angel" means--messenger--and what messages God sends us.

So now that I have finished the shopping, the wrapping, the decorating, I need to step back, take a deep breath, and enjoy the anticipation, the Waiting that Advent offers. I can be more prayerful, more deliberate, more...dare I say it...patient this year. I can open myself up to the messengers God sends for me this season. Here I am, Lord!

No comments: