Joy in anticipation

By Lela Gilmore, Council Member at Large
 
I thought this being the Advent season, that is what I would write about, however, the more I read the more I realize how far I am out of my depth!!! 
I think, rather, I’d like to explore my thoughts of just one possible aspect of Advent, that being “anticipation”, rather than  “expectation”. 
Definitions of ‘anticipation’ list many synonyms, some including ‘expectation’, but more that do not.
One definition describes the word as a version of the Latin word meaning ‘coming’… further, ’a feeling of excitement about something pleasant or exciting that you KNOW is going to happen’. 
Does that mean then that the difference between ‘anticipation’ and ‘expectation’ is the solid belief that what you “anticipate” is outside yourself? A promise…a REAL gift? , as opposed to that which you “expect” in return for something you have given first, or ‘earned’ or bought or are owed?  A gift rather than a gift-exchange where you give only what you expect to receive, so everyone comes out even!
Perhaps,  BELIEF  then, is the difference between anticipation and expectation….anticipation of a gift that is coming rather than expectation of something that you have planned or earned or are owed. 
We believe that Jesus IS coming, not at all dependent on us, or what we do,  or do not do, or believe, or whether or not we have followed the Lord closely enough, or done enough, etc.  Based on our frail human nature, we would never EARN or DESERVE  the Lord’s coming…
 thus the JOY  in anticipation of this indescribable GIFT.  Come Lord Jesus.