Hooray! It's Christmas Time!

He does his little one-legged jump and throws both fists in the air to exclaim, “Hurray it’s Christmas time!”  He is quite excited about all the decorations, songs, stories, and sugary sweets he is discovering for the first time this year.  This is the first Christmas, my son, Quinn, is aware of all the festivities.  I find it interesting he is so delighted about a day of which he knows so little.  He does not remember last year’s celebrations and the unwrapping of numerous beautifully packaged gifts.  If he did I could better understand his joyous anticipation.  Yet, the atmosphere, the joy on the faces of people, and all the things he sees tells him Christmas must a good thing, an event to be excited about, to throw his hands up in the air with a shout of joy. 

His child faith challenges me to have joyous anticipation during this season of Advent.   

Advent means the arrival of an important person or event.  During this season we celebrate the first arrival of Jesus as he came to us as a baby.  However, Advent is not just a for the month of December for we are continually in a season of Advent as we wait for Jesus' second coming.  He promised he would return. 

And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and will take you to myself, that where I am you may be also.  John 14:3

Do I remember this?  Do I remember that Jesus is returning?
Shouldn’t I be expecting the second arrival of Jesus as much as I remember his first? 

Even so it is that Christ, having been offered to take upon Himself and bear as a burden the sins of many once and once for all, will appear a second time, not to carry any burden of sin nor to deal with sin, but to bring to full salvation those who are [eagerly, constantly, and patiently] waiting for and expecting Him.  Hebrews 9:28  Amplified Bible Waiting for our blessed hope, the appearing of the glory of our great God and Savior Jesus Christ, Titus 2:13 The Greek word for waiting in Titus 2:13 means expectant waiting where a person is ready and willing to receive all that is hoped for.   Do I really expect Jesus to return?   Do I even hope for this?

Do I live excited about this promise?  
Do I throw my hands up in the air and shout, "Hooray Jesus is coming!" 

As I remember Jesus first coming I also want to light the flame of joyous expectancy for Jesus’ return.