Anticipation
‘Tis the season when we find ourselves, whether religious or not, anticipating the upcoming holidays. The season finds us all awaiting Christmas cards arriving in the mail, gifts ordered online being delivered, family members coming for a visit, holiday gatherings, last-minute sales, cookies baking in the oven……the list is seemingly endless. One thing that we have been so used to waiting for has been Advent and Christmas services at church. We missed Christmas Eve service last year since the kids and grandkids were gathered with us, and the little ones just could not have handled a crowded children’s service. Besides, with everyone traveling to be with us, it was unfair to expect them drive another half hour to accompany us to church. We had a choice to make: spend our last Christmas Eve at our beloved church, or our last Christmas Eve with our family. Our family had to come first, and I don’t regret that decision. Now, however, with the anticipation of the Adve