Finding Joy in the Anticipation

Recently I was talking with a priest who shared his Advent message with me.

He said how as Catholics we don’t just have the joy of celebrating Christmas Day, but instead, we have a whole season of joy leading up to Christmas. He explained how there’s so much joy in the anticipation of that special day when our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ was born and how he hopes people find true joy in that this Advent.

Joy in the anticipation.

I immediately related this to being pregnant. There is so much joy in the anticipation of being pregnant and waiting to meet your little one. It’s nine months of anticipation waiting to welcome the little one you’ve been carrying in your womb. There are so many joy-filled moments leading up to the birth – when you first find out you’re pregnant, telling your husband, telling you family and friends, your first ultrasound, hearing their heartbeat for the first time, finding out their gender, feeling them kick for the first time, preparing the nursery, having a baby shower, and so many other sweet moments leading up to the first time you hold your baby in your arms.

I will never forget experiencing these moments for the first time. They were some of the most joyful moments of my life. Sure, there are difficult moments in pregnancy, but each of those are outweighed by the sheer joy experienced when you see your belly moving as your baby kicks in the womb and the sheer joy experienced when you meet your baby for the first time.

Nine months of anticipation, filled with some of the most joyful and beautiful life experiences. It may not always be easy. You may experience some struggles, but try to find joy even amid hardships knowing that God has a plan for everything he places in your life. Even just looking at our lives in terms of our faith, it’s not easy to be a follower of Jesus. We may face several challenges as we strive to be His disciples, but there is joy in living a life for Christ.

So, if you’re pregnant, I hope you find joy in the anticipation of welcoming your little one into the world. If you’re facing a hardship, I hope you can find joy in the anticipation of having God answer your prayers and see him work in your life.