Great Expectations

The other day (I think it was Saturday afternoon) my wife, Susan, and daughter, Sarah, were watching television in the den. The first thing I noticed was that they were not watching football! It's the bowl season and it's a Saturday and they're not watching football! My son, Peter, had been watching football earlier, but he had to go to work, and therefore the remote was up for grabs.

I don't know what I was doing, but it was something other than watching television. What I do remember is that whatever I was doing took me through the den several times within about a 5 minute span. They were flipping channels between different movies of Charles Dickens' novels. On my first trip through the den they were watching "Great Expectations." On my second trip they had switched to "Nicholas Nickleby" and, finally, "A Christmas Carol".

The last time I walked through the den I paused just long enough to see them flip between all three. And it occurred to me that these movies all looked the same. Pip's love for Estella, Nicholas beating his uncle at his own game and Scrooge with Fezziwig at a quick glance all looked the same. And, I said which one are we watching this time!

Now you might be wondering how my family feels about it when I flip between football games. My answer to that is that each football team wears a different uniform with different colors, and each player has a number and most of them wear their names on the back of their jerseys. And so, I say that there's a big difference between the way the NCAA packages their football games and the way that Hollywood sanitizes Charles Dickens!

But, I didn't want to talk about television in this posting. Our expectations, our hopes for the season, that's the ticket!

"The people who walked in darkness have seen a great light; those who lived in a land of deep darkness — on them light has shined. You have multiplied the nation, you have increased its joy; they rejoice before you as with joy at the harvest, as people exult when dividing plunder. For the yoke of their burden, and the bar across their shoulders, the rod of their oppressor, you have broken as on the day of Midian." (Is. 9:2-4)

Christmas is upon us once again. The age old story of prophets foretelling the holy birth will be renewed in countless sanctuaries around the world over the next weeks.

Personally, I have written and/or preached about these texts for over 35 years as an ordained minister. Over the last several I've wondered what I believe about these texts.

My heart continues to be gladdened when I hear the sacred texts and, especially when they are combined with the glorious sacred music of the season. Memories rush in when I listen to popular songs of the season, especially "I'll be home for Christmas...if only in my dreams." (Thoughts of my parents and the Christmases of my childhood fill my heart and mind.)

But I wonder what it is I hope for. Do I still hope for visions of the Christ child? Do I actually anticipate the coming of peace on earth? What is it that I expect from God? For what am I waiting?

Many of Charles Dickens' novels spoke of people who were waiting, hoping and expecting certain things from life. Scrooge devoted his life to the love of money and the making of ever-increasing amounts of it. Much the same could be said for Nicholas Nickleby's uncle. Pip built his life on trying to relate to the Havishams in the notion that Miss Havisham was his secret benefactor.

Of course, Dickens wrote several twists into the plot lines of his stories that tended to turn these expectations on their heads. It also seems as though the most important characters are not the supposed heroes, heroins and villains. I end up being much more impressed with the faithfulness of Bob Cratchit and the love that he has for his family than the notion that Scrooge can be transformed into one who can keep Christmas well. And, although Nicholas is a fine character, Snike is the one to whom my heart goes out.

For what am I waiting? I do grow weary of much of what passes for the observance of Christmas in churches and in shopping malls. Such observances are necessary. I will go to worship on Christmas Eve, after all. And I have done my share of Christmas shopping. However, it has occurred to me that my surprise that it's Christmas already comes from a true lack of readiness to celebrate all that Christmas means.

Still, I do know that my heart is moved by stories of love found, gifts generously given for no reason other than because there is a need, or of spirits renewed in the joy and contentment of connecting with family and friends.

God also rejoices when these connections happen -- in small ways, by the way, on any given occasion.

Does God expect peace? Will God bring it about? Will all people come to know the salvation of God (as the prophet also foretells)?

In God's time, undoubtedly yes. In the time that God gives me it is enough to await the casual word of friendship; to take joy in little indications of grace -- when someone forgives me, when I can be patient with someone (even myself), when together we can find a sense of wellbeing in gathering around the table eating, or in the sanctuary praying or singing in soul lifting harmonies.

"Come, my heart, canst thou not hear it,
Mid the tumult of thy days?
Catch the old sweet song of angels,
Join thy voice to swell their praise!
Hast thou never share the blessing,
Never known kind Heaven's gift?
Bethlehem thy Saviour cradled!
Heart of mine, a song uplift."

(from a hymn by William Allen Knight, 1915)

Christmas blessings to you all,

Rick Cowles