Expecting 12-24-2025

24 Expecting. When a woman is about to have a baby it’s what we say: “she’s expecting”. The baby’s not here yet, but is coming, is being formed. There’s a realness about the word, expecting. It’s more than just a hope or a wish, it’s definitely coming, you can plan on it…it’s just not here yet. Amazon uses the word to reassure customers: “expect delivery by”. It’s like, once you’re given an expected date it’s already yours, just not yet! Once John the Baptist sent messengers to Jesus with this question: “Are you the one who is to come, or should we expect someone else?” (Matthew 11:3) Jesus answered with realness: “Go back and report to John what you hear and see: The blind receive sight, the lame walk, those who have leprosy are cleansed, the deaf hear, the dead are raised, and the good news is proclaimed to the poor. (Matthew 11:4-5) It’s Christmas Eve and many, me included, are expecting Jesus. If you’re one of us then you know what it's like living in the realness of light over darkness, forgiving grace, new life, Emmanuel God with us, all while expecting Jesus’ promised return. So whatever you expect under the tree, live in expectation that some very real day Jesus will return...just not yet. PK