When I was a child, Christmas Eve was a very magical time. My relatives would all gather at my great aunt and uncle’s house for a big Italian family Christmas celebration. If you have ever seen the movie My Big Fat Greek Wedding, my family was similar to the characters depicted in the movie only the Italian version. I can still picture the images of those celebrations, hear the loudness of the conversations and some arguments, and smell the scents of all the wonderful food. Throughout the night, the excitement would build and I could not wait to get home and go to sleep.
At that young age, the anticipation of the evening was centered around the expected arrival and coming of Santa Claus. What would he bring me? Would I get the gift that I wanted the most? Those feelings of excitement and anxiousness would carry over to bedtime as it would become difficult to fall asleep with all the built-up anticipation of the past month coming to a crescendo at that very moment. Eventually the adrenaline would wear off and I would drift off to sleep only to wake up again at 5:00 am. My parents were not very happy to see me at that early hour but over the years it came to be expected behavior for Christmas morning. We were not allowed to see the tree until we all walked out together but I would always try to catch a glimpse on my way to their room. After a few more hours, it would finally be time. I would walk out and see the tree; the lights would be on, and they would look as beautiful as I have ever seen them. My eyes would start at the top and make their way down until eventually I would get to the bottom and see all the presents underneath just waiting to be opened. We did not have a lot of money growing up, but Santa would always provide. As a kid, there is no better feeling or better sight to see than walking out and laying eyes on the tree for the first time on Christmas morning. It was such a peaceful sight.
As an adult, the anticipation of Christmas day takes on a different, more powerful meaning. The Advent season is a time to prepare for the coming of Jesus, not just through the celebration of the anniversary of His birth into our world as a baby in a manager in Bethlehem, but also for His second coming at the end of time. While one of these events happened over two thousand years ago in the past and the other is at a time we cannot prepare for in the future, there is another important dimension to Advent and our upcoming Christmas celebrations, the coming of Jesus to us in the here and now.
Whether it is through our many blessings or through the kind words and actions of others, Jesus makes himself known to us every day in multiple ways. Often it can be difficult to recognize Him, especially during our most challenging times, which is why it is important to have this yearly reminder of His coming and His presence in our lives. As this time of anticipation comes to end with the celebration of Jesus’ birth on Christmas day, let us have a spiritual renewal by allowing Him to be reborn in our hearts and minds so He can not only live within us but so we can make Him known to others.
Even though some of the magic of Christmas is lost as we get older and grow into adulthood, the joy that we will experience by knowing and loving Jesus will allow us to have those same feelings of peace, happiness, and joyful anticipation that we had as a child on Christmas morning waking up and seeing the tree for the first time. Through our relationship with Jesus, may we all experience the joy, love, and wonder of that moment every day of our lives.
Have a Blessed and Merry Christmas!!