Expectation

expectation

[ˌekspekˈtāSH(ə)n]

NOUN

1. 1, a strong belief that something will happen or be the case in the future.

   "reality had not lived up to expectations"
2. synonyms: assumption, belief, surmise, projection, anticipation, eagerness, hope
3.            2. a belief that someone will or should achieve something.

   "students had high expectations for their future"
4. synonyms: presupposition, reckoning, prediction, assurance, trust

Mothers have a special understanding of this word in its Advent context. It's a subject in our wheelhouse, this idea of waiting for the birth of a baby. I think most of us would add some things to this definition, though: joyful anticipation, some trepidation, a little impatience, the feeling that there is barely time to get all the preparation done that we want, a bit of the "nesting" instinct kicking in, but --  not one of us would suggest partying and rejoicing and ringing the bells -- until after the Baby is born. 

Yep. Catholics get it. The season is still purple. We're still looking toward a future date: December 25th, to be precise. A pink and gold sunrise is beginning to trace the edge of the horizon, but the dawn has not yet come. 

Think of it, though. Two thousand-odd years ago in Nazareth, a week before Our Lord's birth, if they had not already left on the journey to Bethlehem, St. Joseph and the Blessed Mother would have been getting ready to go. St. Joseph might be procuring a pack animal today, closing down the house, making arrangements, perhaps, for Mary's mother, St. Anne, or contacting friends who might be traveling in the same direction; and all the while, working diligently, without complaint, patient and prayerful. At nine months pregnant, Mary might be starting to prepare and pack food for the trip today, she'd be efficiently deciding what to bring for herself and St. Joseph, what to leave behind, what might overburden the donkey, what would be needed in the likelihood that the Babe would be born while they were traveling. I imagine her humming to herself and smiling as she carefully folds the swaddling clothes. She is planning and praying. Not fretting, though. Not the nervous wreck I imagine I would be. Our humble Queen would have been perfectly serene; you can count on it. She'd have been busy, but calm and Trusting in God.

As she had been prepared since the beginning of time for the great honor of becoming the Mother of God, and because she agreed to be the "Handmaiden of the Lord," the Virgin Mary's role in our redemption is second only to Christ, Himself, but the expectation celebrated on this feast day was not only hers; it also belonged in a very real way to the man chosen to be her earthly guardian and helper, St. Joseph -- just as it belonged to all the world waiting for its Redeemer from the fall of Adam until the world's first Christmas -- and we experience it still now, twenty centuries later, as we wait with hopeful anticipation -- holy expectation -- for the first glimpse of our Savior this Christmas.  

In peaceful expectation now. Deep breath, Moms and Dads. Eyes on the star. There's so much to do at this time of year (and so much to discern with all the international goings-on this year), and it's almost always a challenge, but grace can be won in the midst of it. God help us to be as recollected as Jesus' parents were in the midst of the controlled chaos of their journey to Bethlehem. Amen.

Consolation for the harassed (I'm one of them!): When we whole-heartedly reach for the heights of the Holy Family's example, we are bound to succeed even when we fall short. Remember the woman who was healed merely by touching the hem of Jesus' cloak? Can you imagine God, in His goodness, not filling in the gaps when we join in the Holy Family's motto, Fiat, the Word that was made Flesh?Expect Our Heavenly Father to help in every way possible (and some ways impossible) when you try very hard to make His will yours.

Blessed Feast of the Holy Expectation!

One more week until the birthday of our Savior!