Anticipate. This word holds its breath for both fear and joy. It's found in the wriggles of a child dressed in a tea towel and a bathrobe before it's time to step on stage.
Anticipate. It's found in heaven above where angels wait to proclaim a saviour of the world has been born.
Anticipate. From the first rounds of morning sickness to the fluttering within, a mother looks ahead to the birth of her child.
Anticipate. With each step Joseph progresses along the road God asks him to travel., With each door he knocks and waits while the discomfort of Mary increases.
Anticipate. All of heaven waits in wonder. The shepherds heard angelic joy as they proclaimed the Saviour's birth. For to you this day a child has been born.
Anticipate. Will this be the year the prodigal returns? Will this day bring conflict or joy? Will there be enough to feed the hungry? Will there be enough to clothe the naked? Will there be provision for needs yet made unaware?
Anticipate. The breathing shifts. The pauses lengthen. The air in the room changes. A soul slips into the presence of Jesus.
Anticipate. The crowd of witnesses watch. The veil removed. Another soul embraces the power of the cross to forgive.
Anticipate. Gathering to celebrate communion with one another, a sense of hope unites. Will this time to honour Christ's life and death be the last time until we see the God of the Universe face to face?
Anticipate. All of heaven waits in wonder for the Father to declare it's time. The trumpet thunders of Christ's return. The angels gather both the living and the dead in Christ, forever in His Presence.
"Nevertheless, there will be no more gloom for those who were in distress. In the past he humbled the land of Zebulun and the land of Naphtali, but in the future he will honour Galilee of the nations, by the Way of the Sea, beyond the Jordan--The people walking in darkness have seen a great light; on those living in the land of deep darkness a light has dawned. You have enlarged the nation and increased their joy; they rejoice before you as people rejoice at the harvest, as warriors rejoice when dividing the plunder." Isaiah 9:1-3 NIV
"The end of all things is near. Therefore be alert and of sober mind so that you may pray. Above all, love each other deeply, because love covers over a multitude of sins. Offer hospitality to one another without grumbling. Each of you should use whatever gift you have received to serve others, as faithful stewards of God's grace in its various forms. If anyone speaks, they should do so as one who speaks the very words of God. If anyone serves, they should do so with the strength God provides, so that it all things God may be praised through Jesus Christ, To him be the glory and the power for ever and ever. Amen." I Peter 4:7-11 NIV
The expression and the pictures you paint make your writing is so profound.