By Tonight is the big night – our first Christmas performance. We’ve been practicing Christmas music since September…and now we’re here. Do I wish I had more rehearsal time? Yes, of course. “If wishes were horses, beggars would ride” or “If wishes were fishes, we’d all swim in riches.” Tonight is here, so I’m going to do the best I can. Would you like to know my secret to success? I say a prayer before singing – that God will use my voice to speak to others and offer them healing and comfort, peace and joy.
At Tuesday’s rehearsal, our director mentioned a devotional about the advent season and the difference between anticipation and expectation. She didn’t get to share as much as she wanted to, because were already behind in meeting with the orchestra. Using google, I found this devotional by Carol Whatley. I recommend you read that… and of course continue reading here.
I’m speaking first of anticipation vs. expectation for tonight’s Christmas concert performance and then I’ll talk a little bit about Advent.
First the definitions according to Oxford.
Anticipation: noun
- the action of anticipating something; expectation or prediction.
Expectation: noun
- a strong belief that something will happen or be the case in the future. “reality had not lived up to expectations”
I find it funny that expectation is in the definition of anticipation, when I’m supposed to differentiating the two. So maybe I don’t. After all, the Oxford dictionary approves. The subtle difference in my mind is that anticipating is more around hope. Expectation feels to have more certainty to it. Here’s my example: Tonight, I anticipate a great performance. I expect it will not be perfect. Makes sense to me.
The difference in the two words grows when we think about the Advent season, Christmas and really life. We are hopeful at this time of year, even when it is cold and gray, days are shorter and nights are longer. Perhaps we’re not managing our expectations because we’re trying to make it about us. God wants us to make it about Him. It’s not about the perfect present or the perfect Hallmark moment. It is about deepening our relationship with God, acknowledging His greatest gift – which is Jesus’ birth, death and resurrection.
So this December, don’t worry about holiday traffic and relatives squabbling. Instead, anticipate that God will speak to you and expect that His love and mercy will bless you.
