THE SEASON OF WAITING
As I sit here this morning, I am facing a pile of presents in brightly colored wrappings of Christmas red, gold, blue and green. Personally I have no trouble seeing the stack before me--no anxiety--no heart quickening--but of course I know what each package holds. Treasures I've purchased over the last six months (more earnestly in recent weeks) to delight the hearts of those I love. Liam and Lauren and even Isaac at 15 would love to come into this special room and shake each one guessing what it might be. Christmas fever is strong at this time of year. Their joy can hardly be contained. "Just let me open one Grammie; augh come on!" And yet, there is more to this season than our expectations of what might lie underneath even the shiniest of wrappings and bows. ...