Anticipation

What do John the Baptist and Winnie the Pooh have in common?

One of my favorite Winnie the Pooh quotes relates to "Anticipation"...

"Well," said Pooh, "what I like best," and then he had to stop and think.
Because although Eating Honey was a very good thing to do,
there was a moment just before you began to eat it
which was better than when you were,
but he didn't know what it was called."

My iWitness...

It's Christmas Eve...
Of the two words "Christmas Eve", which one do you enjoy more?
I love Christmas... but like Winnie the Pooh I bask in this moment called "Eve" which elicits all sorts of expectant joy and eager excitement.

It's the day "before."
If you have an Advent Calendar this is day 24 of the countdown and with each opening of the little box on the calendar we draw one day closer.
If you have an Advent Wreath, the "Christ Candle" will be lit tomorrow after having lit the previous four candles of Hope, Peace, Joy and Love.

In regards to anticipation, those original shepherds out in their fields had no built up anticipation.
Sure... they had anticipation as they went on their search for the newborn babe who is called "Christ the Lord" as the angels had declared. But, there was no "Eve" for them.

The prophets of old had foretold of the coming of the Christ, The Messiah, The Anointed One. In one respect the world had been in a state of "Eve" for about a thousand years or more. But after a thousand years of waiting the luster of anticipation had kind of worn off.

Mary had nine months of anticipation. She had been told all sorts of things about who and what this child to be was going to be all about. I wonder what kind of "Eve" she experienced as her body started to contract and go into labor.

That brings it down to us.
What do you like best?
The "Christmas" or the "Eve"?
May they both bring you great joy...

Anticipation...

And that's my iWitness...
Laugh often and Fear not!
David!

"For to us a child is born,
   to us a son is given;
and the government shall be upon his shoulder,
   and his name shall be called
Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God,
   Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.
Of the increase of his government and of peace
   there will be no end,
on the throne of David and over his kingdom,
   to establish it and to uphold it
with justice and with righteousness
   from this time forth and forevermore.
The zeal of the Lord of hosts will do this. (Isaiah 9. 6-7)

ps - The answer to the riddle of what do John the Baptist and Winnie the Pooh have in common is the same middle name...