December 15, 2002

Tis the season to have high expectations. Children expect to receive that one special gift. Adults expect too much of themselves and one another. Everyone looks forward to the coming of Christmas. Today's Scriptures encourage us to have high expectations for what is to come because the Messiah is in our midst.

I work with a lot of volunteers. I have one guy who has two kids. He said to his son, "Don't get your hopes up, son!" "Why daddy?" "I am just not sure Santa is going to make it to our house this year, buddy, and I don't want you to be disappointed." Across town, alone in a luxury apartment, Greg thought about his ex-wife and his kids with whom he would never share Christmas with again. He poured himself another drink to quench the violent images he had just seen on the evening news. "To peace on earth." He toasted to no one.

For many of us, Christmas means just one more disappointment and one more shattered dream and the gloomy realization that the world is no better a place to live than it was last year. But, today's Scriptures proclaim Jesus the Messiah has already come into the world to bring healing, liberty, justice, and peace. They encourage us to raise our expectations for God to act here and now, and to raise our voices in rejoicing.

There is a challenge for everyone in today's Scriptures. Isaiah calls those who are happy and comfortable this Christmas to participate in shaping the "NEW CREATION" he describes. Paul calls those who are troubled to rejoice, to pray and give thanks. And, John encourages all of us to have high expectations that the Messiah is indeed among us.

SO THE QUESTION: IS IT BETTER TO HAVE HIGH OR LOW EXPECTATIONS?

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