Expectations or Unexpected Surprises?

This time of year is filled with many material and spiritual expectations--sometimes realistic and at other times, impossible.  As Santa is making the list and checking it twice, children (and adults) are busily itemizing their Christmas wishes (expectations) for toys, computers, CDs, inner peace, peace on earth, family and friends enjoying one another, a sense of God in one’s life.

 Many of us hope to experience the real meaning of this Advent/Christmas season.  But what’s the “real” meaning of the season?  There’s an expectation in the word, “real”, for each of us.  What do I hope for, expect, seek in a “real” Advent/Christmas season?

In the scriptures, we’re challenged to reflect on what, when, where, and why we seek something.  We’re also reminded that in our seeking, we must be open to the “unexpected” (surprises) of which God invites us to enjoy.

In Luke’s gospel, Jesus challenges the people with this question about John the Baptist:

“What did you go out to the desert to see, a reed swayed by the wind? 

Then what did you go out to see?  Someone dressed in fine garments?  Those who dress luxuriously and live sumptuously are found in royal palaces.

Then what did you go out to see? A prophet?”  [Luke 7:24-30]

Jesus seems to imply that the places to which we go, or the people to whom we turn may indicate what our expectations really are.

In the season of Advent, it’s sometimes difficult to tune into the spirit of personal preparedness or anticipation of God’s reign born anew in each of us and in our communities.  Our frenetic shopping, home decorating, card sending, and preparing for family and friends’ gatherings may drain us of the energy and openness to the experience of being present to one another and to our God.  Our “to do” list overshadows the challenge “to be” with and for each other (family, co-workers, friends, strangers, and God) in the now of today.

Can we expect the meaning of the season to appear in the parties, Christmas music playing in the malls, shopping, family gatherings, day-to-day home preparations as well as the humdrum of daily life (and hopefully in our worship communities)?   

Possibly.

If we’re really seeking the meaning of the season, but also open to its meaning being revealed to us in our day-to-day lives, we may be in for many unexpected surprises.

Just as the listeners to Isaiah were probably surprised [Isaiah 54:1-10], we may be in awe at the prophet’s words.  Through Isaiah, God promises, “…though mountains leave their place and hills be shaken, my love shall never leave you, nor my covenant of peace be shaken.”  God also assures us that there will be, “…jubilant song for all who are barren, and many shall be your descendants.”  This may seem like a promise of the impossible, but we won’t be disgraced or shamed if we’re believers.

As I reflected on the scriptures today, I asked myself: Where might I find the presence of God’s love and covenant of peace born anew in the world today?  Can anyone find the real meaning of Advent/Christmas in the midst of our work-a-day, frenetically paced world?  I suppose it depends on how we approach our journey.  Will we be focused on set expectations or open to unexpected surprises of God’s presence in our lives?  Will we be open to God’s reign born anew in unexpected surprises or will we be too caught up in our own “to do” list of expectations?