I’m old enough to know that Santa isn’t real.  I know where the presents under the tree come from, and I even get to help provide them this year.  Hours and hours of hard work went into the Christmas eve services I was at, and anything I eat tomorrow will have been made by someone (possibly me…possibly not).  It takes so much time and effort to pull off a “successful” and enjoyable Christmas celebration in this day and age.

Even though I know that every part of the celebration I am expecting tomorrow will have been prepared by human hands, I am still hoping for more.  Even though I know the “magical” elements of a Christmas celebration are often clever trickery and manipulation, I am still hoping for more.

I am hoping that the Prince of Peace will show up.

Without the arrival of Jesus, the whole celebration would be meaningless.  I expect him to reveal some truth about himself in a new way.  Just like he did 2000+- years ago. It is his arrival that makes Christmas special.

Expect him to be with you!  God in the flesh, Emmanuel.