Something Grand

 

I remember a time as a child. We were at Disney World, waiting to ride the Jungle Cruise. It was hot. The line was long and moved slowly, yet it was as if each step was bringing me closer to a great and exciting “unknown.” I remember studying the faces of those both ahead of as well as behind me. We were complete strangers, but I remember feeling that somehow we were all in on something quite grand.

As amusement park lines often go, we continued to pass one another – catching an occasional eye and perhaps even a wink and a smile. Then, those ahead finally boarded their cruise vessels and embarked on the journey.

“What’s the little girl wearing the purple terrycloth jumpsuit thinking now?”

“Is she laughing? Is she scared? And will I ever see her again? Maybe on ‘It’s a Small World’…”

You know, I don’t even remember much about the “Jungle Cruise” ride. I think there were elephants bathing… a cobra being lulled from its basket by a flute-playing man with a beard…. What I do remember most is the waiting – the journey that brought me, step-by-step, closer to the lingering unknown.

Anticipation.

Expectation.

And so it is with the Advent Season. Each day, we’re one step closer. Some of us even have calendars with little doors to open – one for each day of December. The doors opened are the days that have passed; the ones closed are days that lie ahead. Behind each one, however, lingers a treasure – a little picture or a piece of candy.

Anticipation and expectation grow….

Finally, December 25th will come. Folks around the globe will celebrate in their own special way with their own unique traditions. Even complete strangers will share in the wonder of a Baby’s birth, and for many, the world somehow feels smaller… kinder. Yet, for everyone, the Advent Season will come to an end – as will the waiting with anticipation and expectation. We will have arrived.

It is my hope that each of us will experience joy in the journey. Perhaps we can look each other kindly in the eye, even giving a wink, as we share in this “Something Grand.” Savor each Advent day… prepare our hearts for the final “Destination”… and love as He first loved us – remembering that, although the journey called “Advent” comes to an end on December 25th, the true Reason for Christmas can live in our hearts all year, giving us reason to celebrate as we journey through life and making every day a treasure!