Great Expectations

Charles Dickens’ book Great Expectations, while not technically a book about Christmas like his famous Christmas Carol, does start out with a young orphaned boy named Pip at a Christmas Feast. He is a boy of low expectations and prospects. Both of his parents are dead, and he lives with his overbearing sister, Mrs. Joe, and her husband Joe, who is also rather beat-down. It is not just that his expectations are low because of the tragedy of his parents’ death, but his sister makes every day of his existence a further descent into purgatory. Better to just manage expectations and not hope than to allow yourself to hope and have your dreams and longings be crushed.I suspect many people are like that this time of year. This season promises so much and yet so often we leave the Advent and Christmas Season feeling emptier than when we started. Why is that? Well, we seem like we are waiting for something. For children, it is new toys; for many adults, it is a time to slow down from work and gather with friends and family. And when you get a lot older, like me, it is a time to anticipate all the “begats” making their annual pilgrimage home. Hallmark is making a killing on this, as are our retailers! What does this mean? I was reading a blog Josh sent me this week, where the author talks about what this says about our common humanity. "All of these feelings suggest something more fundamental about the human condition. We can't help but feel that we are missing something. We can't help but think that there is something out there that will finally make everything right. It's no wonder we feel this way. After all, it's true.” (Justin Whitmel Earley, The Common Rule, Advent Addition)The reason for our Great Expectations is that we know there is something that is worth waiting for and, not only that, only God can fill the emptiness of our hearts. So this Advent Season, we are looking at an old, old promise made to a bedraggled people who are losing hope. Most of this is due to their own sin and faithlessness. And yet, the prophet Isaiah sings about an infant King that will one day come and heal not just the people of Israel, but all the brokenness of the world. We will look each week at the four names he gives to this coming King. I am praying it will heal your heart as it is mine.Also remember, we launch the St. Patrick Soul Room daily Bible reading plan this week. I know you have a lot of questions, and Josh and I can’t wait to hear them. We will tag team our Adult Sunday School hour this week and next to talk about the habit of daily prayer. I will say this, the only thing more formative that learning to read the Bible and pray daily is reading the Bible and praying with folk in your community. So, join us in Sunday School for a great beginning to Advent as we anticipate the coming of God into the world.Blessings,Jim