Anticipation running high; perspective is important

This time of year, anticipation is high as we wait for the arrival of Christmas. We are entering the final week of Advent, which means in its Latin derivative, “coming.” We anticipate the coming of Jesus Christ, the reason we have Christmas.
    Unfortunately, we too often let the commercial side of Christmas take over our lives. I’m just as guilty as anyone else, thinking, by early to mid-December, I must get the house and outside decorated, my baking done (especially those recipes for my mom’s Swedish pecans and butterballs), presents purchased and wrapped and make travel plans to see family.
    For sure, some of that does have to be done before Dec. 25, but our focus should be on what we are waiting for, what we are anticipating—the birth of our Lord. Keeping that in perspective is often a challenge.
    There also seems to be a high level of anticipation on the national level as the politicians in Washington D.C. get ready for the Republicans to take over the House of Representatives. While it’s only by a slim margin, the Democrats no longer have control of the presidency AND both legislative chambers in D.C. The Dems are doing their best to rush through as much of their legislation as they can before January.
    Once January arrives, it’s going to be interesting to see what the Republicans will take up first—there is so much from which to choose! Whether it’s the investigation into the COVID lockdowns and vaccine mandates, Dr. Fauci and his part in all that, federal agencies’ involvement in Twitter’s suppression of conservative accounts, the non-investigation of the attacks on pro-life centers after the overturn of Roe vs. Wade and now the investigation into Sam Bankman-Fried and his crypto scandal. It will be interesting to see what they prioritize.
    They certainly have a lot to look into. Wonder if any meaningful legislation will happen.
    It’s hard for some of us not to try to keep tabs on all of what’s happening, but it is important to focus on what Christmas means even when we are flooded with news. We all need to remember why we place so much importance on Dec. 25—it’s the coming of Jesus Christ in our lives.