By Katy Mariotti

Excitement!

You can listen to today’s devotion by clicking on this SoundCloud link.

“Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! According to his great mercy, he has caused us to be born again to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, to an inheritance that is imperishable, undefiled, and unfading, kept in heaven for you, who by God’s power are being guarded through faith for a salvation ready to be revealed in the last time.”
1 Peter 1:3-5 English Standard Version

You’ve probably noticed as you’ve gotten older that time seems to move faster and faster. At least it does for me, and it did exponentially so when I had children. But do you remember being a kid, especially in the days leading up to Christmas? Christmas felt like it took FOREVER to get there. I remember the days feeling like they moved at a snail’s pace. And yet at the same time, the anticipation itself was fun. That feeling in your stomach that something was coming, and it was going to be good. And the preparation! It was so much fun to prepare for Christmas… to decorate the tree, wrap presents, bake cookies, and sing carols.

Nowadays, while I still LOVE Christmas, the anticipation is more like anxiety. Oh no, I think to myself, I only have two weeks left to finish my shopping, and when am I going to fit in baking so the kids can leave cookies for Santa? When Christmas itself arrives, it’s delightful, but I also sometimes get overwhelmed because I FINALLY have a day to rest and it hits me all at once.

The scripture from 1 Peter is a great reminder that while Christmas can get wrapped up in stress and obligations, we can STILL be excited with childlike anticipation because Christ DID come to save us, and He promises an inheritance that will be revealed to us. We can live in that anticipation and enjoy the preparation of living the life God has for us. Something is coming, and it’s going to be good!

Copyright Holy Cross Lutheran Church, Colorado Springs, Colorado