Tonight was like any other night at our house-you know-chaotic! After running multiple errands after work and school we came home to see what Christmas movies were on TV before bedtime. The boys decided to switch between The Polar Express and The Santa Clause-both of which we'd seen numerous times! But as we watched-and flipped-I questioned the idea of Christmas. How do we all see Christmas? How should we see it?

Ironically at bedtime devotions tonight the story was called "Anticipation".

You know thousands of kids have crawled on a mall Santa Claus' lap and were promised something and they anticipated that gift Christmas morning. They just KNEW that gift would be there cause Santa said it would be! And it dawned on me that what we really need to anticipate is The Promise made thousands of years ago-before that night when there was no room for two weary travelers also anticipating something very special. The Promise was a Saviour!

This year I made another trip to Minneapolis with a group of youth (just 2 days after the bridge colapse) and another trip to Mary's Place which is a homeless shelter. We played with kids in a special playroom and there were tons of kids that came down to play! For kids that had no home, no monetary means to buy food or clothing-perhaps even education-they had anticipation that things would be better. I am sure they had far more hope than many of us have!

Last year I made a short movie when I forgot what Christmas was about. I was gettting depressed-worried about money of course as many do during this time of year. I forgot what I should be anticipaing. I forgot about hope. I forgot about those with far less than I had and those who would not be home at Christmas. I forgot that I too was promised a specail Gift-and I had already received it! And it would not be found under a tree!

I hope this small movie reminds us all to anticipate. To have hope for ourselves and for others. And never forget the greatest gift