This post is from Jo Williams:
I heard a song the other day, ‘I want to feel Christmas like a child’…..which seems like a big ask! Our children are no doubt excited, joyful and buzzing with hope in the build up to and on Christmas Day.
As a child it is all a mystery…..What chocolate is behind the advent calendar door? What presents will there be? even ‘When will we open the presents?’ For them, an incredible feast magically appears on the table, cool films appear on tv, friends and family gather together.
As an adult, particularly if you are a parent, you know every detail of all these things, nothing is a surprise or a mystery, everything has been planned out, purchased, wrapped and everything diligently prepared and a hot stove slaved over.
As we think about the coming of Jesus at Christmas, we are able to tap into that childlike excitement. It is with the waiting and anticipation of a heavy pregnancy, waiting for the baby to arrive, the wonder of the newness of life. We picture the surprise of the shepherds, the mystery of strangers from the east arriving with exotic gifts, and the hope and joy of our saviour. We wonder at our Wonderful Counsellor, Prince of Peace, at how he lived and then died to redeem us and bring us back into relationship with God.
Yet somehow for the rest of the year we return to being ‘adults’. We plan, we strive and work hard, no details are unknown to us. We get our heads down and try to manage the event that is life.
Perhaps we can let go a bit this year and let God in, as if we were letting someone else plan the party, letting someone else buy all the presents, let someone else be in charge of the when and where and who that is your life.
Let go, have a childlike faith that God is in control, enjoy the mystery of a walk with him, the wonder of what he has for you this year. If we are full of anticipation I expect God will fulfil all your expectations more greatly than earthly parents ever can.
One Comment
Thanks Jo. Struggling with my faith and this was really helpful.