Expecting

I have a wonderful friend who will deliver her first child any day now. The months of expecting are about to come to a close. Her doctors have said that the little one for whom she and her husband have been hoping for years is about to arrive and completely transform their home and their lives. The blessed event may even happen today!

I have known this amazing woman since she was a young teen, and I could not be more excited for anyone! This has been an incredibly long journey for her and her loving husband full of twists and turns, joys and sorrows. They are tremendous people and will be incredible parents.

Could there be a better season to welcome a new child into the world than Advent - the season of expectation; the beginning of the Christian year?

For during this season we are "all pregnant," as one of my colleagues recently put it. We are all, much like my friend, anticipating an event that has the power to change our homes and our lives. We are about to be transformed by the birth of a child. And this child will indeed change everything.

"Do not be afraid, Mary, for you have found favor with God. And now, you will conceive in your womb and bear a son, and you will name him Jesus. He will be great, and will be called the Son of the Most High, and the Lord God will give to him the throne of his ancestor David. He will reign over the house of Jacob forever, and of his kingdom there will be no end." (Luke 1:30-33, NRSV).

This leaves me with one question. How will I birth this child into the world?

Remember, "nothing will be impossible with God." (Luke 1:37)

"O come, O come Emmanuel!"